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COMPLIMENTS OF 

COL. J. D. STEVENSON 



memorial nn^ Jpetitton 




— OF — 



COL. J. D. STEVENSON, 



— OF — 



CALIFORNIA 



J. R. BROOIE & CO.. PRINTERS. 403 SANSOME ST.. S. F. 



. .,.»a 




Book- ^J^ - 





Coiv. J. E). Stevenson. 



MEMORIAL AND PETITION 



OF 



COL. /. D. STEVENSON 



__ OF 



CALIFORNIA. 



SAN FRANCISCO: 
J. R. Brodie & Co., Steam Printers, 401 and 403 Sansome Street. 

1886. 



Wis. H\ni, bi(yo. 

20 S 'OS 



MemomI and petition of Col. J. D. ^teVen^oq 



— OF — 

CALIKORNIA. 



To the Honorable, the Senate, and House of Representatives of the 
United States, in Congress assembled: 

. In presenting a memorial asking for relief at your hands, I 
deem it proper to present, for your consideration, a brief sketch of 
my life, and services, both military and civil, that I have rendered 
to my government, the perpetuating and support of which has 
ever been my chief aim. Born on January 1st, 1800, of parents 
of undoubted loyalty to their country, I, at an early age, became 
imbued with that strong loyalty and love for my country and flag, 
that never has faltered, even in the darkest days that have shad- 
owed our government. At the early age of twelve years, when 
our country was at war with England, I volunteered my services, 
and though I could not be accepted as a soldier, I headed and led 
a band of my school-fellows, who worked in the trenches of the 
fortifications thrown up on Long Island for the defense of New 
York City^ at which time I attracted the attention Governor Dan- 
iel D. Tompkins, whose private secretary I became soon after his 
election to the Vice-Presidency of the United States. It was in 
this capacity that I, at an early date, made the acquaintance and 
gained the esteem and respect of all the prominent statesmen and 
higher officers of our government, which acquaintance I held dur- 
ing the years intervening before the Mexican war, and during 
which I was enabled to render many services, in a civil capacity, 
to both my native State of New York and the General Govern- 
ment at Washington. Upon the breaking out of the war between 
the United States and Mexico, I volunteered my services to my 
country, and suggested to President Polk the sending of an expe- 
dition to the Pacific Coast, the object and purpose of which is best 
given in the following official communications from the War De- 
partment, dated June 26th, 1846, and September 11th, 1846, and 



6 

extracts from the New York Herald of September 6th and 14th, 
1846: 

War Department, 

Washington, D. C, June 26th, 1846. 

Colonel J. D. Stevenson, IS^ew York City : 

Sir — The President havino- determined to send a reg'iment of 
volunteers around Cape Horn to the Pacific, to be employed in 
prosecuting hostihties in some province of Mexico, probably in 
Upper California, has authorized me to say, that if you will organ- 
ize one on the conditions herewith specified, and tender its services, 
it will be accepted. It is proper it should be done with the ap- 
probation of the Governor of New York. The President expects, 
and indeed requires, that great care should be taken to have it 
composed of suitable persons. I mean persons of good habits, as 
far as practicable, of various pursuits, and such as would be likely 
to desire to remain at the end of the war, either in Oregon or any 
territory in that region of the globe which may be then a part of 
the United States. The Act of the 13th of May last authorizes the 
acceptance of volunteers for twelve months, or durina the ivar uith 
Mexico. The condition of the acceptance in this case must be a tender 
of service during the loar, and it must be explicitly understood 
that they may be discharged without a claim for returning home, 
wherever they may be serving at the termination of the war, provided 
it is in the then territory of the United States, or may be taken 
to the nearest or most convenient territory belonging to the United 
States, and there discharged. The men must be apprised expressly 
that their term of service is for the war ; that they are to be dis- 
charged as above specified, and that the}^ are to be employed on a 
distant service. It is, however, desirable that it should not be 
publicly known or proclaimed that they are to go to any particular 
province of Mexico. On this point great caution is enjoined. The 
communication to the officers and men must go so far as to remove 
all just ground of complaint that they have been deceived in the 
nature and place of service. 

It is expected that the regiment will l)e in readiness to embark 
as early as the first of August next, if practicable. Steps will be 
immediately taken to })rovide for transportion, etc. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

[Signed.] W. L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 



War Department 

September 1 1 , 1846. 
Colonel J. D, Stevenson, 

Comdg. Regt. of Volunteers, 

Governor's Island, Harbor of New York. 

Sir — ^The transports having on board the regiment under your 
command are destined to the Pacific, and will repair to our naval 
squandron now on the coast of California. Instructions, with a 
copy of which you are herewith furnished, have been given to the 
naval commander on that station in regard to his operations, and 
}■ ou are directed to co-operate with him in carrying out his plans so 
far as the land forces may be needed for that purpose. Without 
undertaking to give specific instructions as to the movements of 
our forces in that quarter, for much must be left to tlie judgment 
of the commanding oflficers, it is proper to state that the military 
occupation of California is the main object in view. There are 
three points deemed to be worthy of particular attention. These are 
San Francisco, Monterey and San Diego. It is important to have pos- 
session of the Bay of San Francisco and the country in that vicinity. 
The necessity of having something like a permanent and secure posi- 
tion on the coast of California, and probably at this place will not be 
overlooked. Assuming that such a position will be found and 
selected on the Bay of San Francisco, it is expected that a fortifi- 
cation, such as the means at your command may enable j^ou to 
construct, will be erected, and the heavy guns heretofore sent out, 
and those taken by the transports to the extent needed, w^ill be 
used for its armament. This work should be designed for a two- 
fold object, the protection of the vessels in the bay, and the secur- 
ity of the land forces. The selection of the site will be an import- 
ant matter. It should be preceded by a careful examination of the 
place with reference to both objects, and the location made under 
the advice and direction of the commanding naval officer. It may, 
be, however, that your first debarkation will not be at this point. 
The circumstances which may be found to exist on your arrival in 
that region must control in this matter. 

It is probable that Monterey will have been taken by our naval 
force before the land troops reach that coast, and they may be 
needed to hold possession of it. This place is also to be secured 
by fortifications or temporary works from an attack either by sea 
or land. Judging from the information we have here of what will 
be the state of things on your arrival on the coast of California, it 
is concluded that these will be found to be the important points. 



and the possession of them essential to the objects in view in pros- 
ecuting the war in that quarter ; but the particular mention of 
them is by no means intended as instructions to confine our niih- 
tary operations to them. As to the third place suggested, San 
Diego, less is known of it than of the other two. JShould the 
naval commander determine to take and hold possession of it, and 
need the land force, or a part of it for that purpose, you will, of 
course, yield to his views in that respect. Whatever is done upon 
the coast of California, or of any other part of Mexico will require, 
it is presumed, co-operation of the land and naval forces, and it is 
not doubted that this co-operation will be cordially rendered. 

The point or points of debarkation of the regiment under your 
command should be settled as speedily as practicable, after your 
arrival upon the Mexican coast, and the transports discharged. 
The land forces will, theafter, be attended by the vessels of the 
squadron. The ordnance, ammunition, arms, and all descriptions 
of public property which are not required on shore, or cannot be 
safely deposited there, will be transfered to the public ships. Upon 
them the land forces must rely for bringing supplies where water 
transportation is necessary. If the exigenc}^ of the service requires 
these forces to move from one place to another on the coast, the pub- 
lic vessels will furnish the means of doing so. 

The regiment under your connnand, as well as the company of 
Captain Tompkins which has preceded it, is a part of General 
Kea7'neys command ; but it may be that he will not be in a situa- 
tion to reach you by his orders immediately on your debarkation. 
Until that is the case, yours will be an independent command, 
except when engaged in joint operations with the naval force. 

It is not expected that you will be able to advance far into the 
country, nor is it advisable for you to undertake any hazardous 
enterprize. Until you shall fall under the command of (jencral 
Kearney, your force will be mostly, if not wholly, employed in 
seizing and holding important possessions on the seacoast. 

The Government here have received information which is deemed 
to be reliable, though not official, that our squadron in the Pacific 
had taken possession of Monterey, as early as the Gth of July last. 

There is reason to believe that California is not favorably dis- 
posed to the Central Government of Mexico, and will not be dis- 
posed to make a vigorous resistance to our operations in that 
quarter. Should you find such to be the state of things there, it 
will be of the greatest importance that the good will of the people 
towards the United States should be cultivated. This is to be 
done by liberal and kind treatment. They should be made to feel 



that we come as deliverers. Their rights of person, property, and 
rehgion must be respected and sustained. The greatest care must 
be taken to restrain the troops from all acts of license or outrage. 
The supplies drawn from the country must be paid for at fair 
prices ; and, as far as practicable, friendly relations should be estab- 
lished. In the event of hostile resistance, your operations must 
be governed by circumstances, and you must use the means at your 
command to accompHsh the objects in view — -tho military occupa- 
tion of the countiy. It is not, however, expected that much can 
be done, if preparations shall have been made to resist, until the 
forces under General Kearney shall have entered the country. 
You are directed to embrace every opportunity to communicate 
with this department, and to furnish it with, not only a full account 
of your movements and operations previous to your coming under 
the direct command of General Kearney, but with such other in- 
formation as may be useful for the Department to possess in regard 
to conducting the war in that quarter. 

Your attention is particularly directed to that portion of the 
instructions to the . commanding officer of the squadron in the 
Pacific herewith, which has reference to the joint operation of the 
land and naval force, and you will conform your conduct thereto. 

You are also furnished with an extract from instructions to 
General Kearney, giving directions for tlie course of conduct to be 
pursued while in the military occupation of any portion of the 
enemy's country, together with a copy of a letter to General Tay- 
lor, enclosing one from the Secretary of the Treasury in regard to 
connnercial intercourse with such parts of the enemy's ports, etc., 
as may be in possession of our forces. These are to be regarded 
as instructions to you, should you find yourself ])laced in the circum- 
stances therein contemphited. You will take the earliest opportii- 
uity to make the commanding officer of the squadron in the Pacific 
fully acquainted with your instructions and the accompanying papers. 

Where a place is taken by the joint action of the naval and 
land force, the naval officer in command, if superior in rank to 
yourself, will be entitled to make arrangements for the civil gov- 
ernment of it, while it is held by the co-operation of both branches 
of the military force. All your powers in this respect will, of 
course, be devolved on General Kearney whenever he shall arrive 
in California and assume the command of the volunteer regiment. 
As soon as practicable you will furnish him with a copy of this 
communication and the other papers herewith transmitted. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

[Signed.] W, L, Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 



10 

From the Herald of Septeiaher 6, 1840. 

"the CALIFORNIA EXPEDITION. ITS OBJECT AND PURPOSE. 

" The preparations and outlay for this expedition have been the 
cause of much noise, speculation and vituperation among certain 
portions of the community, who have echoed the half-fledged opin- 
ions of a few presses whose conductors have no souls of sympathy 
with any movement, however advantageous to the country at 
large, unless it yields directly to the glorification of their peculiar 

''Again and again it is asked, what is the object of this expe- 
dition ? and more particularly now, as the war is supposed to be 
virtually at an end, and the country to which it is destined is really 
in the possession of the United States. Briefly as possible we will 
give our ideas of the objects, intended operations and advantages 
of this expedition. 

" The rich and beautiful reoion of California will, without 
doubt, come into formal possession of the United States, without 
any further fighting for it. Far removed as it is from our seat of 
government, inhabited in a measure by a half-civilized people, it 
will be absolutely necessary, if we intend to hold it, that military 
possession be taken of it, and that a territorial government be es 
tablished there, and what is the class who, under such circum- 
stances, are best fitted to do this ? Not mere soldiers, whose only 
knowledge is a military one. Not politicians^ who can theorize 
most beautifully, but whose schemes burst like gas-bubbles when 
tried by the fire of practice ; but the sound, hardy mechanics of 
our country — the men whose hands know useful labor — the artisan, 
at whose touch the rough metal is moulded into implements of 
use — the men who transform the material into the necessaries and 
luxuries of human existence. The hard-handed honest laborer, 
the farmer, the blacksmith, the tailor, the shoemaker, the hatter, 
the carpenter, the mason ; these are men under whose auspices a 
country rich in soil, healthy in climate, and possessing local advan- 
tages of a rare nature, will grow up and flourish. Precisely of 
this class are the men whom our government are about sending 
to California. Nearly every man in the regiment is a mechanic, 
and may carry his implements of trade with him. Should the reg 
iment be disbanded innnediately upon its arrival, it contauis within 
itself the elements of prosperity, wealth and greatness. A great 
harmony of feeling exists between both ofllicers and men, and a 
fortnight more will probably find these pioneers in the cause of the 
advancement of huiHJin freedom, civilization and prosperity, on their 



11 



way to the land of tlieir liopes and future prospects. Arrived 
there, they will cause the ' wildenies.s to bud and blossom cm the rose 
tree,' and plant the standard of the American Government, Amer- 
ican civilization and enterprise upon the soil of California." 



From the Herald of September 14, 1846. 

" The troops comprising the expedition for the conquest, settle- 
ment, or annexation of California, will, in a few days, embark for 
their destination ; and in spite of all the difficulties and opposition 
attending their progress from the commencement, they will sail, 
admirably adapted for the purposes intended by the government to 
be effected. If tlieir path in a foreign country is to be cut by the 
sword, strong minds guide and strong arms carry the weapons 
with which to overcome all obstacles. If they are to settle down 
quietly in the possession of the soil, there are hands used to toil, 
and implements of husbandry and mechanism are ready to be de- 
voted to the improvement of the ground they occupy. In either 
case, whether their cause is to be one of conquest' and just retalia- 
tion or of peaceful occupation, the expedition is composed of ma- 
terial well provided with men and means, and one that will do 
credit to the State which is honored in the selection of her sons 
for the first body of troops sailing from the United States to a for- 
eign land. 

'' Much has been said, and much unjustly, relative to the organ- 
ization of the regiment, and many have been the sneering remarks 
thrown out, predicting that a corporal's guard would be all remain- 
ing, by the time that the day appointed for embarkation came 
round. The present actual condition and force of the regiment is 
the best answer to all such aspersions. Ten companies, the full com- 
plement of the force, show a muster-roll of over 700 men, being as 
many as are allowed to enlist ; a band of excellent musicians is 
organized ; the ships to convey the troops to their destination are 
chartered, prepared and ready for sea ; a powerful armament of 
cannon, guns, mortars, and, in fact, of everything necessary for 
either a regiment of dragoons, artillery or infantry has been 
furnished ; clothes, provisions, and necessary equipments of 
every sort have been provided. The men themselves 
are contented and anxious to start ; the officers gener- 
ally are men of military knowledge and experence — some 
of them, and indeed all of the field officers, with the exception 
of the colonel, have held situations as professors at West 
Point, which is the best evidence of their fitness for the duties 



12 

assigned them ; and now that this whole body of American citi- 
zens, mechanics and farmers, conmianded by able men, are about 
to go from among us, it is wrong that any of the press of the State 
which calls them her own, shoidd endeavor to mar ths good results 
and o'ood feelinof to be derived from their effects, on account of 
political or personal prejudice against one or more of the officers. 

" Col. Stevenson, who commands the expedition, has a most 
admii-able opportunity of displaying his perseverance and fitness of 
character to enter upon a bold enterprise, from the commencement 
of the organization of the regiment up to the present time ; prob- 
ably there are but few men in the country who could design and 
carry through a project so complicated, and in as successful a man- 
ner as he has done. Attacked on every side by political enemies, 
or disappointed for an approach to the rank which he holds ; re- 
tarded by the non-action of the Governor of this State, who seems, 
for some private reasons, to have granted unwillingly and but by 
degrees, the aid which his station enabled him to afford ; encum- 
bered with the supervision and necessary discipline of 700 or 800 
men unused to restraint of any kind, he has diplayed an energy 
and boldness wdiich qualify him in a supereminent degree foi- a 
connnander of a body of troops, which departs upon a business re- 
quiring the utmost acumen and perseverance. To Colonel Steven- 
son, and to his Lieutenant-Colonel, Major and Adjutant, the whole 
credit is due for carrying to a prosperous crisis an expedition 
fraught wdth interest to every American citizen. 

" We sa}^ nothing of the ultimate results to be effected from 
this expedition. The United States Government is fully aware of 
their importance, judging from the liberal manner in wdiich all nec- 
essary outfits have been granted, and we can but wish them that 
success which seem^ almost certain to arise from the elements com- 
posing their power. We have perfect confidence in the judgment 
and skill of the superior officers ; and as for the men, they are, and 
all must have, too much at heart the honor of their country ever 
to disgrace her fiag. The fifteen or twenty of them that took ad- 
vantage of the baby act and left the regiment, could well be 
spared — their places were filled by better men, and at a future day 
we hope that the expedition which is soon to sail, will, by their 
deeds of honor, acquire a name which no one would be unwilling to 
have bestowed upon himself." 

It will be seen from the above that I was given by President 
Polk one of the most important connnands then before our govern- 
ment. A command whose object was the conquest and holding of 
the Mexican territory, now occupied by the great State of Califor- 



13 

nia. Of my services as a niilitary commander in charge of this 
expedition, I take pride in referrini^ to my record in t'-e War De- 
partment of the United States, and of the details of our services ; 
of my status as an organizer and commandei- ; and of my pi'ompt 
action under circumstances of danger, particularly of my action 
when the interests of our government and of my command were 
placed in jeopardy in Brazil, through the action of the United 
States Minister, Hon. H A. Wise. I refer you to the following 
extract fi-om the historical writings of Col. Thomas Crosby Lan- 
cey, of San Francisco, which taken in connection with the extracts 
from Col. Mason's report, and from the recollections of that gal- 
lant officer Captain JNelson Taylor, herein given, place the matter 
in its true light, and give to me the honor which is justly my due, 
and also shows to some extent what my country is indebted for my 
services : 

Jhe following interesting article is from the pen of Col. Thos. Crosby 
Lancey, of San Francisco : 

The history of the causes which led to, and the manner in 
which the acquisition of California was made by the United States, 
are at this date almost unknown to perhaps the majority of the 
peoj)le who now dwell in this State To many the events of the 
years before the great influx of the gold seeking population who 
came here in 1849 50 have been unrevealed, and even to those 
who have been cognizant of the thrilling drama enacted here, the 
remembrance has all but faded out. The story of those brave and 
adventurous spirits who — long before the cry of gold reached the 
East, borne upon the winds that blew over the Sierras from ocean 
to ocean — conceived and carried out the idea of adding California, 
then a province of Mexico, as another jewel to the star en-crowned 
United States, has never yet been given to the world in its com- 
pleteness, and so to-day, grateful Californians know not to whom 
they are indebted for their fair heritage. Without seeking to 
wrest a sinofle laurel from the manv ofallant men who were here 
before the war with Mexico (in i846) broke out, the Po*'^ must 
concede to the famous Stevenson's Regiment, which arrived in this 
State from New York during that period, a generous share of the 
honors of the conquest. The causes which led to the formation of 
that connnand ; the trials of its commander in selecting suitable 
men ; the purposes for which it was organized ; its sailing ; the 
voyage, and landing here — all of these are interesting facts. When 
the war with Mexico broke out Colonel Stevenson was a member 
of the New York Legislature, on the closing session of which he 



14 

made a speech warmly supporting the Government in its action. 
Soon after Colonel Stevenson had business in Washington City, 
where he called upon his old friend, Amos Kendall, once Postmas- 
ter-General. At the house of the latter he was introduced to a 
prominent Mormon, who had just secured permission from Presi- 
dent Polk to organize a regiment at Council Blufts to march to 
California, under the command of a United States officer. During 
the conversation Colonel Stevenson remarked that he had heard 
much of California, and would like very much to go there. Mr. 
Kendall in reporting the matter of the organizing of the Mormon 
regiment, incidentally mentioned that Colonel Stevenson was in 
the city, and also mentioned what he said relative to California. 
The President immediately said to Mr. Kendall : " See Colonel 
Stevenson, and tell him that if he is disposed to go to California I 
will give him authority to raise a regiment of New York volun- 
teers." Colonel Stevenson w^as informed of this offer by Mr. Ken- 
dall, and soon after Gen. J. A. Dix, then Senator from New York, 
also came to his hotel, and told him the President had asked his 
opinion regarding the idea of sending a detachment by way of 
Cape Horn. He approved of the measure and of the connnander 
chosen, as, had he the nomination, he would name Colonel Steven- 
son before any other citizen soldier that he knew. Hon. Daniel S. 
Dickinson, also a Senator from New York, likewise tendered his 
congratulations to Colonel Stevenson, and wished him success. 
(Jolonel btevenson felt much delicacy in calling upon the President, 
and therefore delayed doing so until he should receive an invitation 
from him. The next day, after Secretary Marcy had told him of 
what President Polk had said. Colonel Stevenson visited the man- 
sion grounds, where on one day in each week, a grand out-of-door 
musical soiree was given by the band, which generally atti acted 
some 5,000 people, and while there a servant approached with the 
request from President Polk, who was on the rear portico, that the 
Colonel should step around and see him. The Colonel did so, and 
the President in person requested him to call upon him the next 
day. In the interview on the following day the President ques- 
tioned Colonel Stevenson closely as to his previous pursuits and 
his experience in business. These the Colonel answ^ered satisfac- 
torily, and then the President added that he had heard him spoken 
very highly of as a commander and a man of ability by Secretary 
of War Marcy and others ; said that he was satisfied lie would do 
honor to himself in the matter, and thereupon gave him authority 
to raise the reo'lment. Colonel Stevenson then left the executive 
chamber with orders to the Secretary of the Navy, Quartermaster 



15 

and Commissary General for the necessary arms, supplies and 
transportation of the regiment. The Cabinet approved of the ap- 
pointment of Colonel Stevenson, and heartily entertained the idea 
of the conquest of California. Gen. VVitjfield Scott, who was also 
present, thought the appointment a good one, and assented to it. 
Colonel Stevenson then left for New York, and in the morning the 
mail brought him the official pei'mission to raise the regiment, 
signed by W. L. Marcy, and dated June 2G, 1846. The instruc- 
tions from the Secretary were that the regiment should be com- 
posed of unmarried men, of good habits and varied pursuits, and 
such as would be likely to remain in California or adjoining terri- 
tory at the close of the war. It was understood that the recruits 
must be informed that they were to go a long distance, and that 
they were to enlist for the war and no shorter length of time, and 
that they were to be mustered out of service in California should 
it become a j^art of the United States ; otherwise, they should be 
mustered out of service on such other United States territory on 
the Pacific Coast that the commandant named at the conclusion of 
the war. The notification also read that the command would be 
expected to start early in August, 1846. Upon receipt of this 
Colonel Stevenson, in a communication dated June 30th, wrote to 
Silas Wright, the Governor of New York, for the necessary per- 
mission to raise a regiment in the State. To this the Governor 
graciously consented. Up to this time nothing was known of the 
intended movement, and Colonel Stevenson himself had the pleas- 
ure of announcino- it at the usual gathering of all the officers of 
the citizen soldiery of the city of New York, at the Governor s 
room, upon the 4th of July, 1846. The following day the newspa- 
pers contained full accounts of the new movement, and on the 7th 
of July Colonel Stevenson took up his headquarters at the old 
State Arsenal in White street, and began receiving recruits for the 
seven companies to be raised in New York City, which, with three 
companies to be recruited in the interior of the State, would make 
ten companies of a legiment of 1,000 men. Colonel Stevenson 
had arranged that Jiis own commission, as well as those of his 
staff, should be issued by the State of New York, and he also had 
determined that his field and staff should, if possible, be composed 
of officers of the regular army or graduates of West Point. His 
reason for desiring that his principal officers should be giaduates of 
West Point was that he intended to bring the regiment out in 
three detachments, and he wanted able men to command and drill 
them. Colonel Stevenson had especially requested the Secretary 
of War not to appoint any one to accompany him, except in a mil- 



16 

itary capacity, and then not unless he was under his control. As 
soon as it became ^eneralh^ known that a regiment was to be raised 
for service in California, immerous applications for positions were 
made to the President and Secretary of War, all of which were 
referred to Colonel Stevenson. Many applications w^ere made for 
the positions of Surgeon and Assistant- Surgeon to the regiment. 
The applications were referred to the United States Board of Med- 
ical Examiners, who recommended Alexander Perry for Surgeon 
and William C. Parker for Assistant-Surgeon. Colonel Steven- 
son having succeeded in getting the officers of his choice for the 
field and staff, felt assured of the success of the expedition, and at 
once turned his attention to the organization of the several com- 
panies. The various officers recruiting these companies had been 
o-iven full and special instructions, and in a very short time ten full 
companies of splendid men had been recruited, seven of which 
were from New York, one from Albany, and the other two from 
the interior counties of the State. These companies were on the 
first of August gathered together in general encampment on Gov- 
ernor's Island, New^ York harbor, the tents being pitched on a 
lawn between Fort Columbus and Castle Williams. Here, on the 
first day of August, 1846, the regiment was mustered into service 
by Colonel Bankhead, commanding the Second Regiment of Ar- 
tillery, as the Seventh New York Volunteers. 

There were 38 commissioned officers and 729 non-commissioned 
officers and privates, making a total of 767, rank and file 

The regulations of the service provided that all recruits should 
be suro'ically examined within four days of their application, but at 
that time the examining physicians were so busy elsewhere that it 
was not until the 20th of August that the regiment was examined. 
So strict were the examining surgeons that out of 800 men there, 
150 were rejected. When it became known that so many had been 
rejected, over 500 applications were made for the vacancies within 
two days. Very few members of the regiment were over twenty- 
one years of age, and no married men, excepting those whose wives 
accompanied the regiment as laundresses, were taken. Some of 
these rejected men were very bitter .against Colonel Stevenson, 
and talked of suing him for false imprisonment in keeping them on 
Governor's Island for twenty odd days without having them exam- 
ined, but when the matter was fully explained to them a greater 
portion at once saw that he was not to blame, and relinquished the 
idea. 

At about this time one Thomas Jefferson Sutherland, who had 
in earlier days organized a band of men to co-operate with some 




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16a. 

Presentation of Bibles. 

As the regiment was about ready to sail a presentation of bibles 
was made to its members, in behalf of the American Bible Society, 
by Rev. Dr. M'Vickar, Chaplain on Governor's Island. 

Everything was done to make the occasion an impressive one, 
and it was marked by the piesence of a large concourse of ladies 
and other friends of the regiment, and its officers, brought to the 
island by special steamboats. The New^ York Herald, in its issue 
of September 6th, had a cut illustrating the scene of presentation. 
At that day illustrations were rare in newspapers, and only used 
upon occasions of great general interest. The style of the wood- 
cut was immensely behind that now attained in newspaper 
illustrations, and a glance at it is suggestive in more ways than 
one. 

The speech of Dr. M'Vickar on making the presentatioi^ was 
most finished and eloquent. 

REV. DR. m'vICKAR's ADDRESS. 



Under favor of your colonel's permission I address myself to 
you-T-officers, non-commissioned and privates of the California Reg- 
iment — and never before, I confess, have I addressed myself to my 
fellow man with so deep a sense of my inability to say that which be- 
fits the occasion and the audience. It is not your numbers that daunt 
me — I have addressed assemblies as numerous — nor is it your mil- 
itary array, and that I a man of peace am called to counsel soldiers 
—with that too my official duty has made me familiar — nor yet 
that I speak to men presently l^xnind for the battle field ; even with 
such solemn partings, recent events have made me ala-< but too con- 
versant ; but never before liave I been called to address an organ- 
ized body of armed citizens who go forth alike to conquer and to 
colonize, and who bid adieu to their (country and their homes, with 
the professed understanding that they return not^ but are to find 
alike their dwellings and their graves in a far distant land. This 
thought, I confers, overcomes me, and when all the deep and varied 
responsibilities involved in such an expedition arise before me, I feel 
bewildered as well as overpowered, and can only throw myself as 
a man and brother on your own sensibilities on this occasion to 
give any weight to the few feeble parting words T have now to 
utter. 

But it is to the ulterior objects of your expedition alone I shall 
speak. As a military armament I look not at it and speak not of 



16b 

it. The duties and responsibilities of that are in other and higher 
hands — nor is it a subject that befits m}^ peaceful mission to 3^ou 
this day. From the dark fields of bloody strife, if such await you 
{which God forefend) I turn gladly to the brighter scenes which 
greet the prophetic eye w^hen peace has converted your " swords 
into plough shares and your spurs into pruning hooks," and the 
transplanted germ of American freedom shall begin to strike its roots 
deep on the shores of the broad Pacific. Looked at in this light, 
what scenes of duty and high responsibility arise before the 
thoughtful mind. Tis then that I see in your array a mission not 
of war but of peace and love — like unto some armed convoy of 
high benevolence freighted with precious gifts — from tlie wealthy 
East unto the forests of the Wesi — a royal donation i'roni the bois- 
terous Atlantic unto her quiet ocean sister. In your departure 
ocean speaks unto ocean and says, " Keceive at my hand the gift of 
civiHzation. That lam]) of science, law and religion, which I my- 
self received from the far East, I now, in turn, hand over to the 
distant West. Freely I have received — freely I give. Take the 
boon and hold it worthily." 

But to speak without figure, who but must see in this national 
transfer of American citizens from ocean to oeean, a forward step 
taken (whether man intend it or not) in that great Providential 
movement which from the earliest times has sent the tide of civili- 
zation westward. Thus looked at, you, my fellow-citizens, consti- 
tutino' the California Reofiment, are the living): scion cut oft' from 
the parent American stock, destined to engraft the institutions of 
the East on the wild plants of the West — you are our chosen car- 
riers to introduce into less favored lands a higher and purer Chris- 
tian civilization. And now let no man scorn this as an ideal pic- 
ture, for if your armament in its more peaceful objects will not bear 
this interpretation, and if in its fulfillment it shall not reasonably 
carry them out, God's blessing, he well assured, does not and can- 
not rest upon it, for such is his blessed and unchanging will, that 
even thus shall knowledge and virtue and fair relioiou circumnavi- 
gate the earth, though men who go fortli as you do bearing in your 
hands the seeds of a better civilization. Whatever else your voca- 
tion, that is your primary one, as God's children. Nor can man's 
neoflect or abuse wholly defeat it -even out of evil, God still educes 
good, the sword of conquest is made to open His way, and the 
deep laden barques of self-interest that rush in, are still made to 
bear His gilts to destitute or >avage lands — peare and the arts of 
life, order and law, science and its teachers, the missionarv and the 
gospel. Such is ever the circuit of God's footsteps on the earth. 



16c 

Such, therefore, must ever be the tracks of man's duty in following 
it. Ehghtened and Christian man is ever to be the pioneer of a 
better civihzation. 

And now among tlie carriers of this better seed, what race 
stands so prominent on earth as that of which we Americans are 
on this Western Continent the representatives — a race that in the 
tide of time, since first called forth on the theatre of the world's 
history, has never yet turned back, whose course has ever been on- 
ward and upward, and over whose destined empire there would 
seem to hang no other cloud than that which may arise from their 
own possible unworthiness, should they be found to turn into base 
gain or lust of dominion; a trust of power connnitted to their hands 
for the civilizing and christianizing of the earth. Then do I truly 
believe the abused talent will be taken from them and given to 
others more wortliy, and when the spiritual light is quenched, that 
the candlestick of powder will be removed : for what right have we 
to claim exemption from that righteous fate which has withdrawn 
the gift of dominion from other chosen races, should we like them 
prove unfaithful to the mission on which we are sent. Let us then, 
as Americans, " not be hiofh minded but fear " — let us " be watch- 
ful and streno'then the thins's that remain," 

To make void that curse of un worthiness is a responsibility 
that rests in its due desfree on all of Aoo-lo-Saxon blood ; but in a 
special degree, permit me to say, does it rest on each member, high 
or low, of this California Regiment Never before has it, in my 
poor judgment, so rested on any equal number of American citi- 
zens, for never before have we as a nation thus colonized, and in 
the face of the civilized world put the stamp of our name and gov- 
ernment and land, on a new, distant and dubious settlement. We 
have at least in this given a gage to the civilized world which we 
are bound to redeem on peril of our honor. It behooves us all to 
remember that it is indeed a most high and solemn act, one which 
the Christian world looks at in doubt or fear, one, therefore, that 
shall hereafter take its place in the world's history. The living 
germ of a new State and a new Empire is as on this day to be sol- 
emnly planted by American hands — a living fountain as on this 
day to be opened in the wilderness, whence coming generations shall 
drink either sweet waters or bitter. Which that shall be — ^on you, 
I repeat it, mainly depends — on you, its foanders, legislators, citi- 
zens, rulers — on you officers and men of this California Regiment. 
It is a responsibility that so rests upon you that you cannot shake 
it off. 

Shall then your country permit you to depart laden with such 



16d 

responsibilities, bearing- forth as you do in the face of the whole 
civilized world, her name and fame, the credit of her institutions, 
her moral training- and liei- religious faith witlunit one parting word 
of kindness or of caution ^ No, mv friends! Thouo-li it be but 
from lips feeble as mine, yet as an anxious mother will your country 
this day lay her hand on the head and her j.-arting charge on the 
heart and conscience of every son here present, who goes forth not 
to return. Even while I thus speak do I see her, the venerable 
genius of our Anglo-Saxon land, the common mother of us all. I 
see herrise up. fi-oni this her watery throne where she sits embosomed 
amid the peaceful fleets of an unbounded commerce, to bid you, 
her armed sons, farewell. I see her Ibllowed in dim procession by 
a long train of patriots and heroes and Christian men. Men who 
not only here but in older lands have toiled and fought and bled, 
not for conquest but for right ; not for license but for law, and that 
they might build up for posterity that which we here enjoy, a fair 
and (I trust) an enduring fabric of constitutional freedom. In that 
long- line may I not say I recognize conspicuous the venerated form 
of Washington, the father of our country. He who built up our 
liberty on the foundation of virtue and religion and has left im- 
pressed on every American heart the fairest portraiture the world 
ever saw of the Christian soldier — the hero, without stain and with- 
out reproach. But higher yet do I recognize the genius of our 
Anglo-Saxon land. I see her foiin, I hear her words, and mine, 
believe me, are their faithful echo. 

" Go forth " she says, "■ my well armed sons —the sword in 3^our 
hands, but peace in your hearts and justice in your deeds. Go forth 
"as apostles from this my favorod land to teach and to bless those to 
which }'OU go. Remember that you bear a widely honored name. 
It has ever been a lineage of faith and virtue, of courage and gen- 
tleness, of peace, of order and of religion. Such has it been in 
the old world, such in the heroic times of the new. Let not its 
fair fame be tarnished or its institutions defamed by unfilial hands, 
or unworthy tongues. As you bear your country's ensign so re- 
member, do you, your country's honor. Let not the name of 
American citizen ever receive a blot through you. Let it not be 
said that with Americans, might was the measure of right, or that 
gold outweighed justice, or that the soldiers' sword made heavy 
the scale of a vanquished enemy's ransom. Bather let that name 
be known as one of blessing wherever it is heard even as that of 
a teacher appointed of Heaven to instruct the nations of the earth 
— to exhibit to the world the living proof how liberty may dwell 
united with law, how individual freedom may stand linked together 



I6e 

with public order, and Christain faith in the nation walk hand in 
hand with an nntbttored private conscience. 

Go forth then my children, and not only as citizens but as men, 
remembering' that you leave at home those whom you will make 
to hold u[j oi- to hang their heads when in future days your names 
and career are mentioned- the father, whose name you bear — the 
mother who rmrsed vou at her bosom — the sister with whom m 
eany life you played and who now dashes from her eye the parting 
tear, in her blessed confidence that you, a brother and a son can 
never forget those whom you early loved. In that sacred confi- 
dence of home affection do I too truht, that nothing unwoithy, 
nothing base, will ever be permitted to stain your name or that of 
your country. I read it in your looks — I see it in your eye — in 
that eye wliich even now glistens when 'home' is mentioned and 
which, in a far distant clime, will daily turn to the picture of 
' home.' as to a chai-m to o-uard alike your heart and life — to fill the 
one with pure and generous thoughts, the other, with virtuous and 
noble deeds. 

And that you may perform well all your parts, whether as sol- 
diers or colonist^, as citizens, or as private men, go forth as Christ- 
ians, and take the blessed book I now profler to you, the gift of 
your Christian country as the sum and substance of her farewell, 
Take it as the best charter you can draft of your public liberties ; 
the surest safeguard you can have of private virtue and the only 
enduring basis on which your social institutions can grow up. Be- 
lieve ?>«('- -believe tlie voice of history, that society without relig- 
ion is a rope of sand, and government without the fear of God is 
but tyranny under the name of law. Think not then lightly of 
the gift of a bible, even as human legislators, for as no State can 
st^nd but upon religion, so no Christian State can stand but 
upon the bible It is its life, and losing that, even empires 
sink into ruin, they die and rot like things of earth. Take 
then this blessed book in your hands, it contains the only|i eligion 
that can stand inquiry, bind it closely to your hearts, it teaches the 
only faith that can bring them comfort, and be assured that the 
closer you do bind it to your hearts and lives and social institutions 
the greater will be the strength of your new State as well as the 
more enduring its prosperity. It will prove a safeguard amid the 
perils of the wilderness, far beyond what man can give. Without 
its aid vain will be your arms, when physical strength will be in 
the governed; vain your laws, for what will they be without rev- 
erence for the lawgiver ? Vain your freedom without virtue, to 
secure it, and very vain all attempts to build|up a people's virtue 
on any other foundation than that of the religion of the Bible, on 
reverence for that great unseen Lawgiver whose eyes penetrate 



16f 

alike the wilderness and the human heart, whose hand asks not the 
aid of human power, and whose secret justice keeps an account 
with man's conscience whether on the shores of the Pacific or of 
the Atlantic sea. To that inestimable gift I add another, next in 
my love and as I tliink (viewed as a practical embodiment of Bible 
teaching) in value, the Hturgy of the church of tliat land which is 
the home of our Anglo-Saxon race, the home where our liberties 
were cradled, and our pure religion nursed, and whence oui- na- 
tional blood has mainly flowed. ' Go forth then,' I say again, 'my 
well armed sons,' confiding not so much in the arms you bear, as in 
the (xod you serve, the faith you profess and the virtues you prac- 
tice. Look up in trust to that great and holy Being who has hith- 
erto guided our race and nation as by a ' pillar of cloud and fire,' 
and who will lead you, their sons, as He led your sires, if you 
prove worthy of them, to peaceful homes, over a stormy ocean and 
through trackless forests. Only follow as becomes your lineage 
the Anglo Saxon footsteps, take God's word for your guide and 
build up all your institutions, in His faith and fear. Let the ban- 
ner of Christ be planted, wherever you plant that of your country, 
and wheresoever you place your foot place too God's house in the 
wilderness. This, even as a mother's dying word, I charge upon 
your filial obedience. Build earhj a temple to God's honor, dedi- 
cate it to a Saviour's worship and from the rude log church let 
daily prayers ascend from consecrated lips to bring down a daily 
blessingf on the still ruder log cabin." 

Such words, fellow-citizens, of parting caution seem I to have 
heard from the lips of our common mother, and as such have I, 
however, feebly, rehearsed them unto you. God grant that true 
words may not prove fruitless through the feebleness of him who 
speaks them. One thing gives me hope This day will be remembered 
by you in distant lands, not so much for what is said as what is given. 
When oceans shall roll between, and the words of the Speaker be 
forgotten, and the heart that prompted them has long ceased to 
beat, still , shall this volume speak, and this day when they were 
given, be by you freshly remembered. It may be, on the battle- 
field, in one hurried but true thought of God and your Saviour ; 
it may be on the bed of sickness, in the hour of penitence and 
prayer. I trust it will often be in the peaceful home of the happy 
emigrant, when your eye, my brother, glancing on this book, shall 
bring back this day and this hour, and this beauteous scene, and 
you will say to the dear ones clustering around you : "Yes, I re- 
member well the day when this blessed volume was put into my 
hands; I thank God for the gift. It has been my guide and 



16g 

counsel, my stay and consolation in many a dark hour in the wil- 
derness." 

Such, men and brethren, fellow-soldiers and fellow-citizens, but 
above all, Fellow-Chri&tians, such is the parting farewell of one 
whose prayers will follow you, where his words can no longer reach 
you, and who prays now, that the God and Saviour, whose he is, 
and whom he serves, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, will be your 
guide and guard wherever you are, will bless, preserve, and keep 
you, now and forever. Amen. 

DISTRIBUTlOiV. 

To each non-commissioned officer and soldier of the regiment do I 
now present, in the name of the New York Bible Society, by whose 
liberality it is furnished, a copy of that Sacred Volume, together 
with an affectionate and fervent prayer, that it may prove to each 
one of you the words of Eternal Life. Guard it carefully, read it 
faithfully, and may God's blessing be with you in the daily perusal 
of it. 

I am also commissioned to present to each soldier desiring it, 
as a manual of devotion, both of public and private use, a copy 
of the Book of Common Prayer, on the part of the Bible and 
Common Prayer Book Society of New York, the Bishop White 
Prayer Book Society of Philadelphia, and several private con- 
tributors. 

I am also enabled to ])resent to the regiment, on the part of 
many donors, three small libraries, apportioned to the three ships 
of the command, with a view to their reunion in your future settle- 
ment, as the foundationof a Colonial libary. However small the 
collection, it will serve at least to strengthen the ties of home, and 
to remind you^ that your country still holds you in affectionate 
remembrance. 

7o Lieutenant -Colonel Henry S. Burton and Major James A. 
Hardy: — To you, gentlemen, as vested with a distinct command 
in your respective vessels, I have the honor to present, on the part 
of the same societies a copy of the Bible and Prayer Book, inscribed 
with your names and official rank, with a view to facilitate the ser- 



16h 

vices of public worship, on ship board. Receive them, as a parting 
gift, from a country that knows your worth and thorough military 
training. Receive them, as the parting gift of a friend, who is well 
assured that you value them aright, and will so use them as to make 
them a blessing to j^ourselves, and those under your command. 

To Colonel J. D. S'evenson : — To you, sir, as the Colonel of the 
reo"iment, leader of the expedition and probable ruler of the new 
colony, I have also the honor to present an engraved Bible, on 
the part of the New York Bible Society, on the part of 
the New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society," a 
Book of Common Pra^^er, similarly inscribed, with your name 
and rank. Receive them in expression of the deep sympathy felt 
by this Christian land, in the religious welfare of yourself and 
command, and of their equally deep conviction that you will find 
in them the surest aids to discipline, as well as the wisest guidance 
to those who govern. It is the closing prayer of one who yields 
to no man here present, in the deep interest tliat he feels, that this 
expedition shall be one of lionoioble and prosperous issue — the 
prayer of one, who is alike your friend and servant, it is his prayer 
that your path of duty may ever be open, and your course in it 
ever blest, as blest it doubtless will be, so long as guided by the 
precepts and principles these volumnes teach, of justice and piety, 
of purity and peace. 

On the part, and in the name of our common countrv, do I now, 
bid to you, and those under your command, an affectionate and re- 
spectful Farewell. 

Colonel Stevenson, taken by surprise by such an elaborate and 
beautiful address, made the following impromptu reply : 

Reverend Sir : In behalf of the officers and soldiers of the 
Seventh Regiment of New York State soldiers, I sincerely thank 
you for these inestimable gifts. The government of our country 
furnishes us with food, to fit the body for the soldiers' toil ; but you, 
sir, and your associate gentlemen have provided for us living food 
for the soul, which, if carefully read and digested, will make us 
wiser, better, and happier men, for it will point out the way to ob- 



IGi 

tain the inestimable reward of a good conscience in this hfe, and 
the surest guarantee for our Creator's blessing in the next. 

In a few days we shall leave our native land and the scenes 
t\at have been familiar to most of us from childhood to the present 
hour. We separate from father, mother, brother, and sister ; yes, 
and more than this, from wives and children — those dear ones 
around whom our heart-strings cling, with a tenacity stronger than 
life itself We go from the land were rest the sacred remains of 
those we fondly loved in life, and the recollection of whose virtues 
will be cherished while life lasts, and reason holds her seat. 

We leave all these to cross the trackless ocean, that we may 
reach the distant shores of the Pacific, and plant there the standard 
of our country, and around it a colony of free-born men, the germ 
of American civilization, and we then promise that the foot of a 
slave shall never pollute the soil with our consent. Among those 
who now surround you, we have representatives of every art, 
trade, and profession, save your own, Reverend Sir, for which our 
countr^^ has become so pre-eminently distinguished. Look around 
you, sir, and point me out if you can one man upon whose face or 
person a single trace of dissipation can be found. Ask yourself if 
they are not fair specimens of our Anglo-Saxon race ; and worthy 
to represent our noble State and nation upon the battle-field, or in 
the more peaceful and useful walks of civil life. I declare, in the 
presence of this assemblage of our fellow-citizens, that all have 
conducted in a manner to reflect credit upon themselves, and give 
satisfaction to their oflRcers. 

You have been pleased to allude to the part I have taken in 
the preparation and organization, and to remind me what my fellow- 
citizens still expect of me in this command. It would be affecta- 
tion to deny that it has cost me many toilsome and sleepless hours. 
Yet have I never faltered, and by the aid of the liberal adminis- 
tration of our general government and the prompt and efficient 
support I have received from my officers, the enterprise has been 
carried thus far, and with the help of Almighty God I promise that 
whilst I have the honor to command this band of citizen-soldiers 
all the ability I possess, and every energy of my nature shall be 



16j 

put in requisition regardless of toil or peril to carry out the wishes 
of the government, and to promote the interest, happiness, comfort, 
and welfare of all I have been chosen to command. In thanking you. 
Reverend Sir, for the deep interest you have taken in our tem- 
poral and spiritual welfare since we have been encamped upon the 
Island, we beg you to be assured that on our ocean voyage, as when 
we shall become residents of that far-off land, whither we are 
destined, the memory of the good pastor of this military post will 
be cherished by every manly heart in the command, and by none 
more than him who now addresses you. 

And in conclusion, I respectfully request you to ask for us 
of our Heavenly Father his blessing upon our country and our 
expedition. 



17 

discontented spirits in Canada, who were trying to create a revo- 
lution there, appeared on the scene. Tliis Sutherland, during the 
trouble mentioned, liad gathered about 100 men, and had taken 
possession of iS'avy Island, in the Niagara river, above the Falls, 
and so alarmed the Canadians that they requested the United 
States to remove them. This was accoi'dingly done by a detach- 
ment of United States soldiery. From that time until the break- 
ing out of the war with Mexico he led a wandering, vagabond life, 
and when he heard of Colonel Stevenson's intended departure he ap- 
plied to the Secretrry of War for a position in that regiment. The 
Secretary directed him to Colonel Stevenson, without, however, rec- 
ommendinof him, or even jj-ivino- him a note to the Colonel on the 
subject. A few days, after he appeared before Colonel Stevenson, at 
Governor's Island, and, although a perfect stranger to him, asked for 
a position on his staff. When told there was no vacancy, he, with a 
sublimity of cheek trtdy refreshing, said that while he would prefer 
going as a niilitary man, still he would accept the position of 
"adviser" to Colonel Stevenson, which position he could fill with 
ability, owing to his great military experience. Upon the Colo- 
nel's refusing the protferred counsel, Sutherland waxed indignant, 
and saucily told that gentleman that he had much powerful influ- 
ence, and that he (the Colonel) would be made to feel the weight 
of his displeasure, before the coinmand left, if, indeed, he did not 
entirely prevent its departure. At this the patience of Colonel 
Stevenson became exhausted, and he ordered him from the tent 
and off the camp-ground. Nothing more was heard of the would- 
be " adviser " until, some fifteen days before the time appointed for 
the command to sail, the Colonel received a communication from 
the Secretary of War, inclosing a communication from some prom- 
nent politicians of Philadelphia to President Polk, advising him 
that matters were so shaping at New York that Colonel Stev^en- 
son might be prevented from going to California in command of 
the expedition, and that in case he did not go all of his field 
officers would resingn on account of their attachment to him. 
The communication also went on to say that they would recom- 
mend for the Colonel's position a certain captain in the New York 
volunteers, and graduate of West Point. This communication, 
although coming without a word of comment, created quite a dis- 
turbance in Colonel Stevenson's mind, and he set himself to work 
carefully reviewing his whole life, to see if he could find aught ob- 
jectionable that his bitterest enemy could point to with scorn or 
contempt. Although in his forty-sixth year, he could find nothing 
in his whole life, nearly all of which had been passed in New 



18 

York, which he could not justify before the whole community. 
Feeling assured also of the respect and friendship of both the 
President and Secretary of War, he immediately telegraphed the 
latter that the command would sail on the 25th or 2Gtli of Sept- 
ember. Preparations for departure were hurried to completion. 

The ships Thomas H, Perkins, Loo Choo, and Susan Drew 
having been chartered by the Secretary of War, and their lower 
holds filled with naval stores, munitions of w^ar, grist and saw 
mills, and everything that was considered necessary for the con- 
quest and retention of California, were only awaiting the embarka- 
tion of the troops to sail. 

A meeting of the junior commanders with their superiors was 
held the day after the dispatch had been sent, which was on the 
23d of September, and then Colonel Stevenson informed them of 
his determination to sail on the 25th. To this the officers de- 
murred, they arguing that both the soldiers and sailors, being 
superstitious, would be greatly dissatisfied sailing on a Friday, 
Finally, these unexpected objections having due weight, the 
Colonel made the day of sailing one day later. 'J'his arrangement 
was to be kept an entire secret from both the line ofiicers, soldiers 
and the sailors. The conference then adjourned. At its close a 
3'Oung friend of the Colonel's, for whom he had secured a position 
in the Sheriff's office, New York, came into the tent, laboring un- 
der mucli suppressed excitement, and began revealing a most 
dastardly and cunningly-contrived plot, designed to prevent Colo- 
nel Stevenson from accompanying his regiment. This young man, 
whom the Colonel had benefited so much, had not forgotten his 
benefactor, and now, when he found opportunity to do him a ser- 
vice, it was eaoferlv embraced. The startlino- intelligence that he 
brought was that some seventy or eighty of the discontented re- 
jected applicants previously mentioned, had been induced by some 
influence to bring suits for false imprisoment against Colonel Ste- 
venson, the damages claimed aggregating $80,000. The young 
man bego;ed Colonel Stevenson not to reveal his informant's name, 
for if he did it would result in his losing his place. The whole 
matter was held as a secret in the Sheriff's office. In this the 
Colonel thouofht he discerned the work of the artful Sutherland 
and his Pennsylvania friends, and at once asked his informant if 
he had ever seen Sutherland in the Sherift"s office. He answered 
that he had, and that an officer of Colonel Stevenson's regiment 
had also been seen there. The writs of attachments in these suits 
were already to be served, and the Sherifl"s officers were only wait- 
ing for the actual day of sailing to serve them upon the defendant. 



19 



Having placed his friend upon the lookout, the young man hade 
him adieu, after promising that if anything new transpired he 
would inform him of it. Immediately after the departure of his 
young friend orders were issued to break camp and to embark, and 
by nfne o'clock on Thursday morning, the 24th, the entire com- 
mand was aboard the transports, and the commander of the squad- 
ron's flag floated at the masthead of the Colonel's ship, where he 
had his headquarters. The first order issued on shipboard was that 
no one should be permitted to board or leave the ship, except by 
the written permission of the commanding officer. On Wednes- 
day, after making all the arrangements for embarking, the Colonel 
sent word to his motherless daughters, residing at home, in Rut- 
o-er's place, to meet him at twelve o'clock that night at the house 
of Frank Geroe, a friend in Brooklyn, to bid him good-by, as he 
would be unable to visit his home before sailing. Shortly before 
that hour the Colonel stepped into his boat, manned by six trusty 
men and a coxswain, all armed, including the Colonel, with pistols 
and cutlasses, and gave orders to pull for Brooklyn. The night 
being dark and the oars having been muffled the boat reached 
Brooklyn unobserved, and Colonel Stevenson had the pleasure of 
being with his three daughters for an hour, when he bade them 
a fond and affectionate farewell. The parting was most painful, 
but the young ladies, being cast in a heroic mood, strove to hide 
their feelings of sorrow from their sire and not add to his keen 
grief. Fondly and lovingly he kissed them good-by, then hastened 
to leave the soil of New'^York, which he has never since then set 
foot upon, and board his vessel. After the command had been got- 
ten aboard the greatest precautions were at once taken to prevent 
any of the Sheriff's employees from serving any writs upon Colo- 
nel Stevenson. The Colonel's boat, with four well armed men m 
it, was stationed at the foot of the rope ladder, and orders were 
given that any person wanting to come on board should send up 
his card and business from this boat, and if any one attempted to 
force his way on board he should be seized and ironed. 

Men were also stationed at four different parts of the vessel 
with a 3 2 -pound shot within reach, with orders to sink any boat 
that persisted in making fast to the vessel after being ordered off. 
Several attempts were made by the Sheriff's officers to get on 
board to serve their writs, l^y means of sending up_ false messages 
giving other than their own names, and other devices, not one of 
which deceived the grim Colonel, who was not to be caught with 
chaff. One party made a forcible attempt to get aboard, but a shot 
dropped between their boat and the ship by a guard, who iinmedi- 



20 

ately siezed another shot, as if to be more accurate, caused the 
adventurous craft to hastil}^ pull away. All day Thursday and 
Friday this strict guard was kept up. On Thursday afternoon Col- 
onel Stevenson called an old man-of-war's-nian into his cabin, and, 
knowing that he could rely upon him, explained the situation to 
him, and placed him in charge of the ship's cannon, with instruction 
to select a corps to man each gun and to see that the cannons were 
carefully loaded with grape and cannister and kept ready for instant 
service. Through the Quartermaster at New York, Colonel Stev- 
enson had ordered four steamers (tug-boats were then unknown) to 
be in readiness to tow the flotilla out at a given signal, which was 
to be two cannon shots in quick succession. These orders were 
given the captains of the steamers under the promise of secrecy, 
and no other soul on them knew of the duty they were to perform. 
Friday was, perhaps, the most anxious day of Colonel Stevenson's 
life. Still it is doubtful if living man could have learned it from 
his immobile features, calm voice or undisturbed manner. He gave 
audience to man}'^ of his friends, transacted business with others, 
and at half-past two closed his audience for the day and went on 
deck to make arrangfements for doubling- guards. Gathering a few 
of his trusty friends about him he explained the situation to them 
also, and told them that he intended to resist arrest at all hazards, 
even if the Sheriff's boat had to be blown out of the water. At 
about three o'clock a small steamer was sighted coming down 
East river, and apparently heading for the vessel. As she ap- 
proached nearer and nearer the Colonel called Captain Turner's 
attention to it, and instructed him, in case she attempted to come 
alongside, to hail her and notify the man at the wheel that if he 
did not keep off he would be shot dead where he stood 

A young German, formerly a soldier in the Prussian army, 
prompt and faithful, was placed in an advantageous position, and 
these orders given : At the word " Ready ! " he was to raise his 
piece — which, with but a cap on it, combined with the snap of the 
lock, made a report loud as a derringer — and cock it. At the 
word "Aim ! " he was to bring down his piece and to draw a bead 
upon the man in the pilot-house of the approaching steamer. All 
these directions were given the man in a loud tone, and could be 
distinctly heard on board the steamer. A tinkle of the bell, and 
she slowed down to come alongside, driven by her acquired force. 
Just then the officer of the day gave the sentinel the command of 
"■ Ready I " and up went the gun, the cocking of which sounded 
clear and determined. The order to aim immediately followed, 
when Captain Turner sung out to the steamer's pilot: "I will 



21 

give you five seconds to back your steamer; if she does not move 
you are a dead man ! " The pilot looked but one second at the 
captain, another second was tiken in glancing down that threaten- 
ing gun barrel, and then clang went the bell, and the wheels of the 
steamer began rapidly to back water, and she moved off as quickly 
and as silently as she came, the man at the wheel not taking his 
eyes off that terrible gun until he was well out of range. That 
was the last attempt made to arrest Colonel Stevenson on. that day. 
That evening he notified Captain Shields of the United States 
sloop of war " Preble," which vessel was to accompany his com- 
mand, that he should sail early the following morning, the 26th, 
and also gave him a dispatch to be sent to the President and Sec- 
retary of War containing the same notification. That same even- 
ing Colonel Stevenson sent a messenger to notify the steamers he 
had engaged to be alongside at daylight to tow him out, and also 
to tell Deputy Sherift' A. M. C. Smith, who was on the steamer 
which attempted to come alongside of the " Perkins " that after- 
noon, that he (Colonel Stevenson) would never be arrested in that 
harbor, and that he intended to leave at the head of his command, 
peaceably if he could, forcibly if he must. The deputy then said 
to the messenger that the sheriff was out of town. He had been 
telegraphed the failure to arrest Colonel Stevenson, and had replied 
that he would return to the city by eight o'clock the next morning. 
The return of the messenger with this report quieted Colonel Stev- 
enson's apprehensions, and he turned in, hoping that he could leave 
^ew York without bloodshed. At dawn on the 26th he was up 
and on deck awaiting the coming steamers. While thus waiting, 
an answer to the telegram sent the President and Secretary of 
War was received. It read as follows : "Your telegram received. 
Our answer is, God bless and speed you safely to your new home ; " 
signed by President Polk and Secretary Marcy. 

While this was being read, Robert Martin, news collector for 
the New York Herald, and personal friend of Colonel Stevenson, 
came on board, bringing with him the State flag and two guide 
colors, parts of a stand of colors that the oflicers of Colonel Stev- 
enson's old militia regiment that he had connnanded for twenty 
years, learning that the fleet was about to sail, had sent on board. 
Colonel Stevenson received the colors with thanks, and taking 
leave of Martin, gave orders to weigh anchor, and in a few mo- 
ments, the steamers having come along side, the little flotilla began 
moving out down the Narrows. Just at this moment, as Colonel 
Stevenson was looking through his glass, at the immense concourse 
of people gathered on the Battery, he saw a large column of men 



22 

moving along pier No. 1 to the steamer lying at the end of the 
pier. This he eorreetly surmised to be a Sheriff's posse to arrest 
him. 'J'owing the " Perkins," which had all sails set, were two 
powerfid steamers, and with the advantage of an ebb tide it was 
hoped that she could not be overtaken. As the fleet passed out 
the Narrows, Fort Lafayette saluted and the ships responded. As 
the smoke of the canonading cleared away, the little steamer with 
the Sheriff's posse on board was seen rounding Governor's Island. 
She did not continue the chase long, for when the tieet rounded 
Sandv Hook nauofht could be seen of her, even throuo-h a irlass. 
At about five miles out Colonel Stevenson siofnalled the vessels to 
heave to, and taking one of the steamers, visited in succession each 
one of them, bidding good-by to his captains, and leaving oiders 
with them to rendezvous at Kio de Janeiro. When the steamer 
ranged alongside the "Susan Drew," he noticed that the officer in- 
tended as his successor by the Philadelphia politicians, and the 
same who had been seen at the Sheriff's office was in the mizzen 
chains, to be the first to have a parting clasp of the hands with Col- 
onel Stevenson, who, however, in boarding, did not choose to notice 
his extended hand. When, however, this gentleman placed his 
hand in his. Colonel Stevenson looked him steadily in the eye. 
The officer at that glance flushed guiltily, and knew then that the 
Colonel was aware of his perfidity towards him. Slowly the check- 
mated man withdrew his hand and slunk away. 

As a final salute, each of the ships manned the yards and their 
crews gave three vigorous cheers ; then all sail was spread, and 
thus the regiment left New York for the far western shore. When 
it is remembered that this was the first army ever sent by the 
United States to subjugate and occupy a foreign territory, and that 
never before in the history of the world did a detachment of soldiers 
go so far to reach the enemy's country, the event becomes one of 
great historical interest. As the returning steamers faded from 
view, the brave and undaunted commander sought the solitude of 
his cabin, where, kneeling, he devotedly thanked his Creator for 
aiding him safely through the troubles of the few days past. 

Always a sufferer from sea-sickness when at sea, Colonel Ste- 
venson, admonished by premonitory symptoms of that unwelcome 
visitant, as the "Perkins" lost sight of land, hastened to make 
all preparations to resign himself, with as good ij;race as possible, 
to its consequences. Every part of the vessel was vi-ited, and 
orders given the officers for a week ahead. None too soon were 
these precautions taken, for Colonel Stevenson had the inevitable 
attack, which confined him to his state-room for three days, and 



23 

when he reappeared on deck he was but the ghost of his former 
self, and was so weak that for many days he had to be supported 
by two sturdy soldiers. Others of the command also sufltered from 
the same infiiction. Another of the evils of a long voyage is 
scurvy. This was well guarded against, however, great care being 
taken that plenty of wholesome food, and in variety, should be 
served out. 'J'he result of this was that nothing of the kind ap- 
peared. All the officers messed together, with the exception of the 
master of the ship, Captain Arthur. This officer, an eccentric 
personage, was a (German by birth, but he had mingled so freely 
with the people of all nations, that his nationality was a matter of 
speculation. He was also most penuiious and ill tempered, and 
when out of humor, which happened often, he was perfectly 
unbearable. 

Previous to sailing, he asked permission to join the officers' 
mess, adding that he could purchase a supply of pigs, chickens and 
ducks, cheaper than its members could. The proposition was ac- 
ceded to, and the captain proceeded to lay m much live stock 
and poultry. He, however, delayed joining the mess until well 
out to sea, and when, about a week alter sailing, it was proposed 
that he should unite with the mess^, and that the event should be 
celebrated by a chicken dinner, he coolly informed the astonished 
officers that he had changed his mind, and had concluded not to 
join the mess. If they wanted any chickens, however, he would 
sell the mess any number at fair prices. The officers, disgusted at 
his conduct, did not press him to join the mess, but they bartered 
for his chickens. Here again they were astonished, for the price 
asked for the chickens was fully three times that which he 
had paid for them, so they concluded not to purchase, consigning 
both the captain and his fowls to hades. This unexpected deter- 
mination on the part of his intended victims proved unfortunate 
for the petty speculator ; for, the soldiers and crew, learning the 
trick he had served the officers, also declined to buy a single fowl 
from him. This was not the extent of his loss, either ; for, al- 
though he did not sell a chicken, he soon witnessed them rapidly 
disappear, owing to numerous midnight raids, until at last not a 
feather of them was left. The young and succulent pips, too, 
grew so large and fat, that they had to be killed and salted down. 
No other instance of pilfering on the part of the command was 
recorded on the voyage. During the passage the best of discipline 
was maintained, and there were few violations of the rules. The 
command, with one exception, paid strict attention to them. This 
exception was a sergeant of one of the companies. An order had 



been issued that each solder should be in his bunk by nine o'clock, 
ready to turn in at the tap of the drum. This sergeant, in giving 
the order to his detachment, supplemented it with the remark, " I 

have given you the order, and I don't care a whether you 

obey it or not." This remark was repeated to Colonel Stevenson, 
who at once reduced the man to the ranks, and detailed him for 
police duty, which was to clean up the ship. This duty he refused 
to perform, and so he was ordered triced up by the thumbs and 
wrists ; and the order w^as also given to keep him in that position 
until he was ready to make a proper apology for his conduct. This 
he refused to do, and when his captain tried to reason with him he 
cursed and swore like a pirate. He was then left alone to come to 
his senses, but was visited hourly by the ship's surgeon, who, from 
time to time, reported on his physical condition. 

As might have been expected, the punishment of the fractious 
sergeant caused a murmur of discontent forward, until at length, 
seeking to frighten Colonel Stevenson into relaxing his severity, 
Captain Folsom, who had before presumed on his superior's friend- 
ship, entered his cabin, and in rather an insolent manner said to 
him : " Colonel Stevenson, do you know that there will be a mutiny 
on this vessel this afternoon ? " 

"No, sir," replied Colonel Stevenson; "but I do know that 
there wiU not be a nmtiny on board this ship tliis afternoon ; and 
further, Captain Folsom, you know that I sleep over one hundred 
barrels of gunpowder, but you do not know, sir, that I have a train 
laid from that powder to my berth ? " 

*' What ?" stammered the captain. " Colonel Stevenson, you 

surely do not mean to say " 

'- Yes sir, I do, and you can rest assured that before I will suffer 
the command of this vessel to pass from me there will not be a 
plank left for a soul on board to cling to ; and now, sir, let the 
mutiny proceed ! " 

Pale as a spectre, and witli his eyes fairly emerging from their 
sockets, the thoroughly alarmed officer hastily excused himself, 
and hurried forward, where he, no doubt, imparted the fearful 
threat he had just heard to the malcontents waiting there, who, if 
they had ever entertained mutinous ideas, quickly discarded them. 
The feeling of discontent, however was not crushed. At roll call 
that evening, and while the men, mustered on deck, were being 
inspected, the soldier undergoing punishment, moaned as if in pain. 
At this his bunk-mate, who was standing in line close by, brought 
his piece to the deck in a forcible manner, and exclaimed, " By 
Q I would like to see the man that would serve me — " whack 



25 

came a blow, given quick as lightning by Colonel Stevenson, who, 
in passing, had caught the sentence ere it was tinished, and, with a 
thud, the mutinous soldier fell doul)led up in a heap upon the deck. 
Then calmly ordermg a sergeant to incarcerate the fallen man in 
the ship's prison, and keep him on bread and water for ten days. 
Colonel Stevenson quietly proceeded with the inspection. This dis- 
play of courage and firmness had a wholesome eftect on the discon- 
tented men and on the triced-up sergeant, who soon after sent word 
to Colonel Stevenson that he was anxious to make the apology 
demanded, and, on that officer's appearing, did so most humbly. 
He was then released, and from that time on both he and the rest 
of the rebellious spirits behaved themselves as well as the most 
orderly of the connnand. Thus ended the nmtiny predicted by 
Captain Folsoni. 

The next event of any importance was the birth of a female 
child. This was born to the wife of Quartermaster-Sergeant 
Stephen Harris. On the same day, also, the " Perkins " fell in 
with her convoy, the sloop " Preble," Captain Shields. The 
officers and crew of this vessel, on learning of the infantile arrival, 
requested permission to name the little stranger, which, bemg 
granted, the name of Alta California was chosen for her, and so 
three vigorous cheers were given for little Miss Alta California 
Harris by both ships' crews. A few days later, on the 20th of 
November, the two vessels having in the meantime parted com- 
pany, the " Perkins " entered the bay of Bio de Janeiro, where the 
" Susan Drew," the " Loo Choo " and the " Preble " were found to 
have arrived, and were at anchor. Here was also the United 
States man-of-war, " Columbia," flagship of Commodore Rosseau, 
commanding the Brazilian squadron. When the "Perkins" 
dropped anchor all the vessels manned yards, and saluted in 
man-of-war style. Shortly after, an officer was sent from the 
"Perkins" to' report to Commodore Rosseau, who soon after- 
wards visited Colonel Stevenson. The " Perkins " was also boarded 
by the Brazilian authorities, who requested that the commander 
of the "Perkins" would honor them by exchanging salutes with 
their forts. Their exchange of courtesies was agreed upon, to 
take place the following day. A communication received soon 
after from Commodore Rosseau, however, made it necessary to 
cancel the arrangement. This communication was to the effect 
that owing to a difficulty between the Brazilian Government and 
Hon. H. A. Wise, United States Minister at Rio de Janeiro, ail 
diplomatic intercourse between the two nations had l)een suspended. 
The communication ended Ijy saying that as Colonel Stevenson 



26 

commanded an independent expedition, he conld act as he pleased 
in the matter. Tliat commander, without hesitation, resolved to 
support Minister Wise, and so sent a messenger ashore to the 
Brazilian officials to say that it would not l)e desii'al)le to exchange 
salutes as agreed upon. The following day the United States 
officers in port in a body, upon invitation, visited the various 
Foreign Embassies in that city, but no notice was taken of the 
Brazilian officials 

This slight did not serve to mollify the people of Brazil in tlie 
least, and the breach was further widened in the christening of the 
protege of the expedition, whicli took phice the next day. Exten- 
sive preparations were made for that event. The officers of the 
" Preble " selected an elegant silver cu[), suitably engraved, and 
issued invitations to all of the U nited States officials to attend the 
christening of Miss Alta California Harris, to take place on board 
the " Columbia," the fleet chaplain officiating The vessel selected 
was gaily decorated for the occasion, and at the hour set, all in- 
vited were present to participate in the honor to be done the 
daughter of an humble soldier of a great republic. All were 
aware that the child was born famous, for was she not the first 
child ever born whose father formed part of the first expedition of 
armed American colonists soldiers ever sent by their govern- 
ment to conquer and occupy a foreign province '( Minister Wise 
was to stand godfather, and he and the child's parents, Commodore 
Rosseau, Colonel Stevenson and the chaplain, occupied a central 
position on the deck. The interesting ceremony was performed, 
and Minister Wise followed in a speech. Unfortunately, in con- 
cluchng, he drew a comparison between the christening of a 
daughter of an American soldier and a similar event which had 
taken place on shore a few days previous in which the " royal 
bantling of the Brazilian Nation," as he termed the child, had l)cen 
the principal. The ceremony on the " Columbia " was concluded 
by hearty cheering and the flring of salutes from every vessel in 
the fleet. The insult — ^o regarded — offeretl by Minister Wise, 
coming to the knowledge of the Court of Brazil, a cabinet meeting 
was called, and the question of ordering every American vessel out 
of the port was debated. Learning of this proposed action. Colonel 
Stevenson visited flrst the most distant vessel of his fleet, and in 
a speech to the officers and men, countermanded the order allowing 
a portion of the command liberty on shore each day, and explani- 
ing matters said that he expected that Connnodore Rosseau would 
refuse to obey the order. In that case it would be his duty to 
stand bv him, and that a conflict between their v^essels and the 



27 

vessels and battries of Brazil would bo inevitable. That being 
the case, he said that the next time they went ashore it would be 
with fixed bayonets. 'J'his announcement had an electrical effect 
upon the men. They jumped into the rigging and uttered cheer 
after cheer. Those on the nearest vessel, while not understanding 
the CO use of the outburst, became excited also, and they, too, 
joined in the enthusiastic hurrah. And thus, from vessel to vessel, 
cheer followed cheer, and when Colonel Stevenson was rowed to 
each ship in turn, and they also were told the news, the men 
knowing the cause of the outburst, cheered louder than before. 
All this time the scene on shore was of the liveliest nature. 

Upon the quay fully 20,000 people had gathered, curious to 
know what the Americans were growing so demonstrative about. 
Then, after waiting till the excitement had subsided on shipboard, 
the swarming piers gradually grew less crowded, until finally the 
docks resumed their wonted appearance. A few hours after Com- 
modore Rosseau thanked Colonel Stevenson, in person, for his 
proftered aid, and told him that he (Colonel Stevenson) had inter- 
pret(jd correctly what his action would be in case the decree was 
made. No such summary step as contemplated by the Brazilian 
authorities was ever taken, for the Emperor of Brazil opposed the 
issuance of such an oixler, but insisted on demanding the recall of 
Minister Wise by the United States Government, which demand 
was subsequently acceded to. A careful and complete report of 
his own action in the affair was forwarded the Secretary of War by 
Colonel Stevenson, an acknowledgment, without conmient, of the 
receipt of which was duly received by him when he arrived in Cal- 
ifornia. A few days after this episode the sailing orders were given 
to the fleet, and the four vessels once again breasted the ocean with 
all sail set, bound round the Horn. Nothing further of importance 
transpired on board the " Perkins " during the remainder of the 
voyage. The health and discipline of the Command w^ere perfect. 
Favored with fair weather and fresli breezes the good ship rapidly 
neared her destination, until in the latter part of February, 1847, 
the welcome shores of California appeared in the horizon. A few 
days sail along the coast brought the vessel ofl' the heads, and on 
the Gth of March, 1847, the " Perkins" sailed proudly through the 
Golden Gate, and at three o'clock rounded to and came to an an- 
chor opposite the little town of Yerba Buena. The United States 
sloop of- war, " Cyane," Captain Dupont, was in the harbor, and 
from its officers Colonel Stevenson learned that the town was held 
by a detachment of the United States Marine Corps, under Lieu- 
tenant Tansell. General Stephen W. Kearney, commanding the 



28 

Departiuenfc of the Pacific was at Monterey, and to him Colonel 
Stevenson sent a courier announcing his arrival. 

On arriving at San Francisco, and learning that General Kearney 
had arrived in California, and had estabhshed his headquarters at 
Monterey. He innnediately dispatched Captain Stevenson to 
Monterey with a communication for the Commanding General. 
Upon the return of Captain Stev^enson from Monterey, the Colonel 
received orders as follows : 

Headquarters, Tenth Military Department, 
Monterey, California, March 12th, 1847. 
Orders No. 4. 

I. The Seventh Regiment New York Volunteers intended for 
service in California (a part of which has arrived at San Francisco, 
and the remainder are daily expected), will tske posts as follows : 

II. The Colonel of the regiment, with his regimental staff, and 
four (4) companies at Monterey. 

The Lieut. -Colonel, with three (3) companies at Santa Bar- 
bara, and the Major with the remaining three companies at the 
Presidio, in the Bay of San Francisco. 

Special instructions will be given to each of these field officers, 
who will keep the medical officers with them, who have accom- 
panied them from New York. 

S. VV. KEARNEY, 

Brigadier General. 

Having distributed the command, and having seen them all 
emljaiked for tlieir several posts, as designated on the morning of 
the 8th of April, Colonel Stevenson embarked on board the United 
States sloop-of-war " Lexington " for Monterey, where he arrived 
on the 9th, landed his battalion, and assumed command of the 
post. 

Two weeks later a courier arrived from Los Angeles, bringing 
news that the Mexican General Bustamento, was on the march 
with a large force, to retake California from the American forces, 
and soon after the arrival of this news, he was ordered to take a 
portion of his command and proceed to Los Angeles, to assume 
command of the Southern Military District. 

On the 8th of May the Colonel, accompanied by General 
Kearney, embarked on board tiie United Slates sloop-of-war 
" Lexington " for Los Angeles, and arrived at San Pedro, its sea- 
port, on the morning of the 10th, and immediately landed, and 
commenced the march for Los Angeles, which was reached on the 




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29 

same evening, and on the morning of the llth, he assumed com- 
mand of the Post and Mihtary Department, Major Hunt relieving ' 
Major St. George Cook of the command of the Moimon Bat- 
tahon, thus leaving the Southern District of California under 
Colonel Stevenson's command, Lieutenant- Colonel Burton, with 
three companies of the Colonel's regiment; Company F, First Reg- 
iment United States Dragoons, Captain A. J. Smith ; Company C, 
Captain Taylor ; Company G, Captain M. R. Stevenson ; Major 
Hunt, with four companies of the Mormon Battalion of Volun- 
teers ; and one company of the Mormon Battalion, under the com- 
mand of Captain Hunter, stationed at San Diego. 

The Mormon Battalion had been enlisted for one year, and 
their term of service expired on or about the 15th of July, 1847. 
Colonel Stevenson immediately advised Colonel Mason, wdio had 
succeeded General Kearney in command of the Department, of 
the short time these troops had to serve. Although exerything 
was peaceable and quiet at that time, there were many discontented 
spirits who would readily encourage an outbreak the moment 500 
men were mustered out of service, which would reduce the entire 
force in the Southern Department to about 250 rank and file. 

Realizing what would be the w^eakness of his command when 
the Mormons should be disbanded, Colonel Stevenson at once called 
together all the responsible merchants and ranchers in Los Angeles 
and within twenty miles, and when all had arrived, he clearly ex- 
plained to them what would be his system of government whde in 
command, wdiich would be until the close of the war, when, if Cal- 
ifornia became a part of the United States, they would become 
American citizens if they so elected, and if they now preserved a 
quiet and peaceful deportment, and made no attempt at an outbreak 
or doing any act that would justify him in continuing the war, he 
would pay a reasonable price for anything he received from them, 
and he would protect them in all their rights of person and prop- 
erty. If on the other hand, they violated this agreement, he 
would stop paying for what he received from them, and would take 
w^hat he wanted without [)ayment, and would treat them as a con- 
quered province, under martial law. All agreed willingly to his 
liberal proposition as they expressed it, and were willing to sign 
any document he might prepare guaranteeing their good faith, and 
they would give him immediate warning if any attempt was made 
to violate this agreement, that he might check it at once. Colonel 
Stevenson then told them that he required no written pledge, but 
he should rely upon their word of honor until he had substantial 
reason to doubt their good faith. 



30 

The news of this agreement was innnediatel}'' spread throngh- 
out the lower country, and tho?e who had not been able to attend 
the meeting in time waited upon the Colonel and assured him of 
their hearty approval of the agreement and pledged their word to 
maintain it. 

Among the first who called on the Colonel, after this meeting, 
^vas Don Andreas Pico, who commanded the Californians when 
they attacked General Kearney. He was the idol of the whole 
country, and one of the most frank, hightoned and honorable gentle- 
men the Colonel ever met in California or elsewhere, and he will 
never forget his look when he entered his quarters for the first 
time. As he entered the door of the Colonel's room, he fixed his 
eye steadily upon his, placed his right hand upon his heart, and 
was about to make a low and formal bow. Before he could do it. 
Colonel Stevenson anticipated his intent, advanced toward him 
and extended his right hand, in the frankest manner, and with his 
brightest smile. The moment Pico saw this, he advanced quickly, 
seized the Colonel's hand, with both his, and was about to raise it 
to his lips, when Colonel Stevenson anticipated him, and opened 
his arms to receive him, he immediately opened his own, and they 
stood a few moments in as warm embrace as ever one man gave 
another, when their arms dropped. Pico stepped back, retaining 
the Colonel's hand. He thanked him for his generosity to his 
countrymen, and heartily endorsed the compact, and said in the 
noblest and manliest words he could connnand, that ifever one of 
his countrymen forgot or failed to keep it, and an arm was raised 
to resist the Colonel or his orders, he would find him by his side 
ready to spill his blood for him. 

Thus every apprehension of any attempt at an outbreak was 
quited, for General Pico made it known throughout the district 
that the Colonel and he were dos muchachos hcrmauos (two boy 
brothers), and that any attempt at an attack upon the one, woukl 
be regarded as an attack upon both ; and if it became necessary 
for the Colonel's })r()tection he would, with his own hand, kill the 
offender, and lose his life in Colonel Stevenson's defense. 

From the moment of his interview with Don Andreas, early in 
May, 1847, until he took his departure for Monterey about Sep- 
tember 20th, 1848, Colonel Stevenson felt that he and the entire 
command were as safe from danger of attack by the enemy as they 
would have been on Governor's Island in New York Harbor. 

When the Missions were secularized, thei'e were many of the 
Indians who could talk, read and write Spanish. Some of them 
had settled near the Agro Calinento Pass. About the time of my 



31 

Interview with the Rancheros, two of the principal Mission Indians 
came to nie and offered to give nie notice of any Mexicans coining 
into the country by way of Warner's Pnss, and all new comers, 
without any charge, if I would see that their men were not ill- 
treated by the Californians when they brought me any news. 

In this arrangement I had a perfect knowledge of every man 
that crossed the line between Mexico and Lower California. 

I found this arrangement with the Indian runners a most valu- 
able one without cost, except the food I gave them when they 
came in, and I always received news of every fight between the 
Mexican and American troops in Mexico from the same source, and 
was thus able to forward it to Colonel Mason long before he re- 
ceived it through any other channel. 



[Letter of Col. Stevenson to Col. Mason in Viehalf of the men of his regiment.] 

Head-quarters Southern MiLurARV District, California, 

Los Augdcs, California, August i20, 1S4S. 

Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
several communications of the 8th, and proclamation of tlie 7th 
instant, together with department orders ISTos. bO and 52, announc- 
ing the conclusion of a treaty of peace between the United States 
and Mexico, and containino- instructions for the disbanding of the 
First Regiment New York Volunteers under my command. Earn- 
estly as all have desired such an event, the very sudden and unex- 
pected termination of our services has surprised us all, and found 
many a poor fellow, who has served his country f\iithful1y for 
more than two years, without a dollar beyond the small amount of 
pay that will l)e due them at the time of their discharge ; and if 
they pay the few small debts they owe here, they will not have 
money sufficient to buy a pair of shoes ; and I know that many, if 
not all at this post, possess so high a sen'^e of honor that they 
would go baref(joted rather than leave in debt to any one in the 
town. Thank God, all here have acted honorably and fairly to the 
people of the country, and I trust they will do so to the end. Yet, 
hard as their case is, they do not complaim of the want of any- 
thing but the means of defence ; for when they are disbanded, not 
ten men will have either a gun or pistol ; and I assure you, great fears 
are entertained, and not without just cause, that they will be 
wanted, as well for their defence against Indians as against some 
miserable wretches of the country, who already threaten not only 



n2 

to attack all Americans, but the families of the people of the 
country who have been friendly to us. My men complain that 
the Mormons retained their arms, and were allowed transportation 
to the Salt Lake, for seven months' service, and supplied with 
twenty rounds of cartrido'es each, while they, who have served 
more than two years and traveled tliousands of miles on the ocean 
to come here in the service of their country, are to be discharged 
without an arm for their defence, or a dollar of commutation ; 
and some of them (the last recruits) had their arms taken from 
them at Monterey, which, unless you have sent them down in the 
"Anita," they will, in all human probability, never receive. 
Soon after I arrived in this country, in a frank conversation with 
General Kearny on this very subject, he assured me that my men 
should be allowed to retain their arms, as he had no doubt if it had 
been sua-g^ested to the authorities at home before sailing:, it would 
have been authorized, as they were intended for, and would become 
permanent residents of the country. He said he made the stipu- 
lation with the Mormons, and he felt authorized to make it with 
me for my men ; and the day he left here for the United States he 
assured me that he would leave such instructions with you as would 
insure it. A very large number of my men here must remain un- 
til they can raise the means of reaching the upper country, or 
go up on foot ; which would be a most toilsome and perilous jour- 
ney, unarmed as they will be. Under these circumstances, I have 
deemed it my dut}'^ to present you their most earnest appeal that 
you will allow them to retain their arms, and that fifteen days' ra- 
tions of such stores as are at the post may be served out to them 
on the day they are disbanded. They would not ask this fiivor of 
the government if they could in any manner dispose of the land or 
money script. I present this, their petition, most cheerfully, l)e- 
cause I feel that they more than deserve it at the hands of their 
government ; for no soldiers, either regulars or volunteers, have 
ever surpassed them in correct, honorable and manly depoi'tment, 
or in a most faithful and diligent discharge of the duty required of 
them as soldiers. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient 
serv^ant, 

J. D. STEV]i:NSON, 
Colonel 1st New York Regiment, 

Commanding Southern Military District. 
To Colon KL R. B. Mason, 

1st United States Dragoons, Governor of California. 



33 

[Extract of Letter of Col. Mason to the Adjutant-General of the Army.] 

Headquarters, Tenth Military Department, 

Monterey, California, June 17, 1846. 

This regiment, you are aware, had been strung from Sonoma in 
the north to San Jose, in l^ower California, during their whole 
time of service in this quarter. The companies stationed at La 
Paz (Steele's and Matsell's) held that town for many weeks against 
four times their numbers ; and the very moment they were rein- 
forced by Naglee's company with additionrl recruits, they took the 
field under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Burton, routed the 
enemy, completely dispersed them, and restored peace to the pen- 
insula. Colonel Burton speaks highly of the courage and coolness 
of his men ando fficers underfire ; and I refer you to his report for 
individual acts of gallantry. Lieutenant Colonel Burton, through- 
out his whole conduct whilst in command of the foi-ces in Lower 
California, completely executed his instructions, which were based 
upon the orders from the War Department ; and as his reports and 
copies of his instructions are already in your office, I need only add 
my present approval of his conduct. He is now on duty at this 
place, in command of his company F, 3d Artillery. 

Colonel J, D. Stevenson, since April, 1847, has been in com- 
mand of the district of country embracing Santa Barbara, Los 
Angeles, and San Diego, has by energy and good management, 
maintained most excellent discipline amongst his men, and has pre- 
served harmony amongst the population of that district, which is 
composed mostly of the native Californians. This required pecu- 
liar tact and firmness — qualities possessed by him in a peculiar de- 
gree. I will warrant that at no previous time in that district were 
life and property so secure, the magistrates of the country so effect- 
ually supported, and industry so encouraged, as during the past 
two years ; one common cry of regret arose at the order for their 
disbandment ; the little petty causes of complaint were forgotten in 
the remembrance of the more substantial advantages they had en- 
joyed under the protection of the military. Subalterns and men 
are entitled to share with their commander the honor due for this 
creditable state of feeling on the part of a people nominally con- 
quered. That part of California lying on the bay of San Fran- 
cisco has been under the command of the Major of the regiment, 
James A. Hardie, who has effectually aided the civil authorities, 
dispelled the fears of the threatened Indian incursions, and guarded 
the heavy depot at San F'rancisco — duties which were performed 



34 

to the best advantage with the hiiiited force at his command. His 
officers and men were generally attentive to their duties, and anx- 
ious to serve the United States. 



R B. MASON, 
Colonel 1st Dragjoons, Commandino;'. 
To Brig. Gen. R. Jones, 

Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. 



[Extract from " The Recollections of Captain Nelson Taylor, Company E, Stev^- 
enson's Eegiment.] 

In closing this brief sketcli of my recollection of that portion 
of the regiment with which I served, it is my desire to })ay a well 
merited ti'ibute to a worthy officer, that was the Colonel of tlie 
regiment, Jonathan D. Stevenson. 

Doubtless, with the experience he now has, if called upon to 
organize and command another regiment he would leave undone 
many things which he felt called upon to do, and do many others 
which he left undone. Such, I believe to be the feeling of most 
men having had the experience of organizing and commandinn 
regiments ; but upon a careful review of his colonelcy, I entertaig 
the opinion that few volunteer officers who served during the 
Mexican War, acquitted themselves with more advantage to the 
Government, or greater credit to themselves. 

It is true he performed no brilliant military achievement in the 
field, where honor is sought at the cannon's mouth ; his lines 
happened to fall in more pleasant places ; yet, if occasion had 
called for it, and oppoi'tunity otf'eiod, there is no doubt but that 
his field services would have been as distinguished and credita- 
ble as was his civil administration satisfactory to the citizens of 
his military district. To his superior adniinistrative and execu- 
tive ability is due, in my hundile opinion, the peace and good 
order that prevailed so uninterruptedly tliioughout the lower 
portion of Upper California after he assumed the command of that 
district. 

His intercourse with those who were brought in contact with 
him officially or otherwise, was ever characterized with the easy 
and agreeable coui'tesy which betokens a well-bred gentleman, and 
which deservedly made him popular, both with the soldiers of his 
command and the citizens of his military district. 

It is many years since it was my good pleasure to meet the 



35 

Colonel, whom, I learn, still remains a citizen of the Golden State, 
and wliicli he has never left for a single day, since he first landed 
on its shores in command of our resfiment. Let him reside where 
he may, he has my best wishes for all the worldly prosperity and 
mental contentment which can fall to the lot of man. 

Truly yours, 

Nelson Taylor, 
Formerly Captain of Co. E. 



After my muster out of the United States service, at the close 
of the Mexican War, I decided to remain in California, and assist 
in building up the fair land I had helped our Government to con- 
quer, but as ever before my energies were always directed toward 
that which seemed to me to be for the greatest good of our 
National Government, and for the great State that was growing 
up around me, and to this end I devoted both time and money in 
advancing the interests of California, in projecting surveys of our 
inland waters and the surrounding country, which would induce a 
permanent class of emigrants to locate and build up our State. 

When the war of the Rebellion broke out in the East, and our 
country again needed the support and help of her loyal citizens. 

FIRING ON FORT SUMTER 

When I read on the bulletin board that Fort Sumter had been 
fired upon while our country's flag was flying over it, my memory 
w^eut back to an occurrence that took place at the death-bed of my 
gallant sailor father, who in his youth had been an impressed 
American seaman, and compelled to serve on board an English 
man-of-war a number of years during the war between England 
and France, On one occasion, while on board the Eno^lish man-of- 
war, " Lapwing," in chase of a brig in the China seas, the brig 
would not show her colors, but finally displayed the stars and 
stripes, and the officer of the deck ordered my father, who was the 
captain of a forcastle gun, to '''fire at the damned Yankee." My 
father refused to fire a gun, saying : " No, sir ! that is my coun- 
try's flag, and my arm may fall palsied by my side before I w411 
apply a match to a gun to send a messenger of death at that flag, 
or anything it floats over." The officer said : "Do you dare refuse 
to do your duty under the British Union 1 " My father replied : 
" Yes, sir, and I never shall be happy until I see the stars and 
stripes flying over the British Union." He was immedialy put 
in irons where he remained for a period of many months, when he 
was tried by a court for high treason ; the court sentenced him to 



36 

receive two dozen lashes on his back on board of each ship, thus 
inflicting upon him six dozen lashes upon his bare back, because he 
would not fire upon his country's flag. The scars caused by this 
flagellation ever remained upon his back. In the month of Decem- 
ber, 1823, he was about to die, his head was resting upon my 
shoulder, and while he was committing my mother and her children 
to my care, my arm accidentally slipped from his back, and in fidling, 
pressed upon those scars ; he felt it, and instantly i-aised his head 
erect, seized my shoulder with a arm and vigorous grip, pushed me 
from him, and^ looking me firml}'- in the eye,, said: ""Boy, I re- 
ceived those scars in defense of my country's flag, and if you ever 
fail to defend it, or raise your arm against it^ and if God will per- 
mit my spirit to revisit the earth, I will haunt you," and immedi- 
ately his head dropped upon my shoulder, and his spirit passed to 
God who gave it. With the natural feeling swelling in my boS(^)m 
at that time, could I remain with the Democratic party, and affili- 
ate with those who liad fired upon the old flag, in defense of which 
my dead father had sufiered so much ? 

I tendered my services to the War Department, referring to my 
record as a Military Connnander during the Mexican War. To 
my communication I received the annexed reply from the Hon. 
Simon Cameron, Secretary of War : 

War Department, June i3th, 1861. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your let- 
ter of the 4th ult., with enclosure, offering to raise a regiment or 
brigade in California for service in that State. The Department 
has full confidence in your ability to command such a force and in 
your loyalty to the Government, so well attested by your former 
well-known services ; but it cannot at present give the leave asked 
for to raise the proposed regiment or brigade. Circumstances may 
hereafter occur to render such a step necessary, but existing cir- 
cumstances do not seem to warrant it. 

Respectfully, 

Simon Cameron, 
To CoL. J. D. Stevenson, Sec. of War. 

But while the General Government did not accept of my ser- 
vices in the field, I was able by my watchfulness and attention to 
matters effecting its interest on this Coast, to render the most im- 
portant services. When the Secession sympathizers were about to 
put into operation a scheme, the object of which was the founding 
of a Pacific Republic, it was through my exertions that their vile 
plottings were frustrated, and the supremacy of the Government 



37 

upheld on this Coast ; for the details, and history of the part I 
took in this important work, I beg leave to refer you to the follow- 
ing- truthful article taken from the San Francisco Evening Post of 
October 9th, 1880: 

THE TRUE STORY 

H0¥/ CALIFORNIA WAS SAVED TO THE UNION. 



The Blunder of the Secessonists and What Followed — Charles 
Doane's Midnight Visit to Colonel J. D. Stevenson. 



PROMPT AND EFFECTIVE ACTION TAKEN. 



Important Paut Played by Dave Scannell and the Fire Boys — General 

Johnston Notified — A Conference of High Officials — Quiet 

Subsidence of the Plotters of Treason. 



The chapter of "unwritten history " that appeared in our issue 
of Saturday^ the 25th of Septeniher, in which is narrated why 
General Sumner came secretly to San Francisco, and how Califor- 
nia was saved from the horrors of civil war, is said not to be entirely 
and exactly true, because California was not saved from the horrors 
of civil war by the sudden arrival of General Sumner, for the sim- 
ple reason that the civil war referred to had been silently and 
quietly crushed out some days before the General reached San Fran- 
cisco. Every other part of the chapter referred to is no doubt 
strictly true, for 

EDMOND RANDOLPH 

Did not give to the editor of the Sacramento Bee his mere impres- 
sions of what the Democratic party of the state — with all the 
federal offices in their possession, and with GeneralJohnston in 
command of the military forces in the Department of the Pacific 
— might do, but was stating what he actually knew was beinci done 
at that very moment to inaugurate a civil war in California. He 
well knew that all, or nearly all, the federal officers in the State of 



38 

California were Southerners — many of fchein most unscru])ulous — 
and that men were being enrolled and arms purchased for their 
use. Also, he knew that special parties had been detailed by this 
band of traitors to ascertain the precise character, position and 
condition of all guns at Alcatraz that could be brought to bear on 
the city of San Francisco. So, also, were parties detailed to visit 
the arsenal at Benicia, to ascertain the character and condition 
especially of the small arms that were stored there and ready for 
immediate use. This committee made themselves perfectly familiar 
with the location and accessibility of the arsenal buildings in which 
arms were stored. The mode and manner of obtaining all this in- 
forma,tion, both at Benicia and Alcatraz, were most ingenious and 
pleasant, as the committees appointed for that purpose, when they 
visited those places, w^ere 

ACCOMPANIED BY LADIES, 

Who were, no doubt, previously advised of the importance of the 
visits they were about to make. Parties of ladies and gentlemen 
were never refused permission to land at Alcatraz or to enter the 
arsenal at Benicia ; and not only the officer in charge, but all others 
at those posts, were ever most gallant gentlemen, and promptly 
offered themselves as escorts to the ladies, showing them the curi- 
osities of the place, and pointing out the superb views both of sea 
and inland, from those points. Thus the gentlemen visitors were 
relieved of all restraint and permitted to wander where they 
pleased about the premises, and make all the notes and sketches of 
the most accessible and assailable points of both these important 
military posts. This knowledge was indispensably necessary in 
order to make a prompt^ and, perhaps, midnight attack successful, 
which might have been done with even a small force of resolute 
and determined men under tlie command of an experienced soldier 
— and there were many such in the ranks of the desperate band 
which had determined to take California out of the Union under 
the pretense of creating 

A PACIFIC REPUBLIC 

Out of the State of California and other continguous territory. 
About the time the conversation between Edniond Bandolph and 
his friend took place, as detailed in our chapter of unwritten history, 
other and more important movements were being made at San 
Francisco to enable this band of traitors to perfect all their ar- 
rangements for a successful raid upon Fort Alcatraz, the arsenal 
and public stores at Benicia, the Custom House, Postoffice and 



30 

Mint in San Francisco, all of which would have been captured, 
porliaps, without the slightest resistance, and they had all things 
ready to move, except a proper man to lead tliem. The leader for 
so important an expedition, it was admitted on both sides, should 
be some citizen of high character for integrity and firmness, in 
whom the Democratic party had full confidence, and who at the 
time was not a soldier, but had some experience in military mat- 
ters. _ For this important post many were named who did not fill 
the bill so perfectly as would a gallant soldier of the Mexican war, 
who at that time held the most important municipal office in the 
city of San Francisco, which had been given him by an almost 
unanimous vote of the Democratic party at the previous election. 
He was by all regarded an uncompromising secessionist of l^outhern 
birth. The moment his name was mentioned to the committee 
charged with the selection of a leader, he was 

UNANIMOUSLY DECLARED THE PROPER MAN 

for the place, and immediately a sub-conmiittee was appointed to 
wait upon him and announce tlie supposititious honor conferred 
upon him by the unanimous voice of the representatives of the 
Southern Confederation in California. Upon the afternoon of the 
day the connnittees were appointed for that purpose, they waited 
upon him in his office at the old City Hall, and were shown into 
his private room. He was informed that the committee desired to 
confer with him privately, and thereupon one of his deputies, who 
had a desk in his office, arose and left the room. Being thus left 
alone, the chairman of the committee arose and informed him of 
the honor sought to be conferred upon him by the united voice of 
the Southern Democracy of California, at the same time handing 
him a roll of the men he was to connnand, giving him at the same 
time in detail a full and clear account of all that had been done; a 
list of the arms purchased, and where they had been stored, and 
the names of the persons who were to guarantee the needed 
money for all purposes, until the conspirators should be in full 
possession of the government funds. After a few moments' reflec- 
tion, he informed the committee that the position they had called 
upon him to assume was one of too great moment to be accepted 
without careful reflection and thought, and the responsibility was 
too great to be lightly assumed. He, therefore, 

REQUIRED TIME FOR CONSIDERATION. 

It was then about three o'clock in the day, and he asked until 
2:30 p. M. of the following day to give them his decisive answer 



40 

whether he would accept or clechne the honor they intended to 
confer upon hhn. Upon receiving this reply the coniniittee re- 
tired, when he immediately left his office, and, walking out of the 
cit3^ wandered among- the hills surrounding it until dark, constantly 
rackino- his brain meantime to think of some way of avoiding the 
responsibility thus sought to be thrust upon him. The people who 
had placed him in the position evidently believed him to be a 
Southern born man, inheriting all their prejudices and hatred of the 
North and Northern rulers ; whereas the fact was that he was a 
Northern born man, and had an inborn feeling against secession in 
any form. Therefore, if he made this open avowal and declined the 
proffered honor, and bluntly declared his true sentiments, he would 
be regarded as a treacherous spy, and his life would not be safe an 
hour. If he should decline it without an explanation, some other, 
and, perhaps, more desperate man would be found to take the 
command of the Confederate forces, and a civil war would be imme- 
diately commenced in the midst of the now peaceful and happy 
community of San Francisco. The confidence thus placed in him 
he could not confidentially communicate to army officers of the 
general government stationed in San Francisco, because he believed 
them to be leagued with the desperate secessionists that were about 
to plunge the country in civil war. After laboring with his thoughts 
for hours, he returned home, and 

ENDEAVORED TO THINK OF SOME MAN 

So strong in the confidence of the peoi)le in San Francisco that 
they would give him their support in an attempt to crusli out this 
Confederate crew, and in his thoughts he analyzed the character 
of every man of any prominence in this city. Finally, the name of 
one occurred to him who had seen some military service, and had 
the confidence of the authorities of the city. State and nation. 
This man was known to be both morally and physically as brave as 
any man residing within the bounds of the State. His integrity was 
unquestioned, and his patriotism had been often tried and never 
found wanting. His assumption of the leadership of a party 
opposed to the machinations of the Southern Confederates assured 
to his standard a host of gallant men, who had served under him 
in California, and in the war with Mexico. 

THE HEROES OF THE PRESENT STORY. 

Right here it is necessary to a clear narrative of the facts that 
the names of the actors in this patriotic struggle should be 'given 
in full. Inasmuch as the time has [)assed when any harm can come 



41 

to any of the parties involved on either side by reason of their 
action in the years long gone, it is also eminently proper that 
record should be made in favor of the brave citizens who placed 
their lives in jeopardy in order to save this city and State from 
the liorrors of internecine strife. They are, therefore, now declared. 
Charles Doane, Sheriff of San Francisco, was the true and honest- 
hearted man who refu-^ed to become the leader of the rebels, and 
Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson was the chosen confidential friend 
whom he selected as the only person to whom he could safely 
reveal the traitorous plot confided to him by the treasonable crew. 
Doane felt that if any man in California would be able to circum- 
vent the rebel designs that man was Colonel Stevenson. There- 
fore, having determined to confide in him, the Sheriff arose from 
his bed, dressed himself so that no one could recognize him, and 
sought the residence of his chosen friend. He rung the bell at 
midnight. The first ring was without a response ; the second, 

which was much louder, brouofht the man he desired to see to the 

• • • 1 

balcony over the door. Doane informed him that he washed to see 

him in 

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. 

Stevenson came down and opened the door and admitted his 
midnight visitor, who, being disguised, was not recognized until he 
had removed his wraps. When identified, Colonel Stevenson ex- 
claimed, " In the name of God, What is your business with me at 
this hour of the night ? " They immediately entered the parlor, 
and the Sheriff detailed all the circumstances hereinbefore set 
forth, and then said: " Now, sir, the safety of the State of Cali- 
fornia, and especially that of the city of San Francisco, is in your 
hands ; you are the only living man within the boundaries of the 
State who possesses all the necessary qualifications for a leader to 
crush out this rebellion on the Pacific." At the same time he 
placed in his listener's hands the muster roll of the conspirators, 
which the Colonel took and glanced over, and found to contain the 
names of many prominent Democrats, rich and high in the confi- 
dence of the community. Many of these are still among the most 
ardent and wealthy Democrats of the party of this day, and are as 
zealous supporters of Hancock as they were of secession in 1861. 
After some further unimportant conversation Colonel Stevenson 

AGREED TO ACCEPT THE POSITION 

Thus urged upon him, Init returned the muster roll of the Confed- 
erates, saying that he did not desire to hold that dangerous paper, 
lest he should at some distant day be tempted to use it in a manner 



42 

that might clo the parties injury in civil hfe after the terrible war 
of the rebellion should be ended. At this they separated ; the one 
to go home, the other to arrange his course of action to check the 
mad scheme of converting California into a separate republic. For 
two hours after Colonel Stevenson returned to bed he continued in 
as deep thought as the communication just made would permit, and 
during that time he was mentally testing most carefully the char- 
acter of many of his most intimate acquaintances to find one whose 
bravery, fitness and reliability would justify his appointment as sec- 
ond in the movements proposed to be immediately taken to check 
the impending danger, and prevent the seizure of Fort Alcatraz 
and government buildings in San Francisco. As for the Mint, he 
was sure it would never be surrendered while its Treasurer, Jake 
Snyder, lived. After carefully examing the character and fitness 
of a large number of his friends, he finally settled upon 

ONE HIGH IN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE 

Of San Francisco for his peculiar fitness to command and control 
men on any and all occasions when surrounded by danger, and 
where human life was imperiled. Besides, this friend had shown 
military skill and bravery in the hour of battle, at the taking of 
the city of Mexico. At that time he held a high and important 
position in the municipality, where he had under his commanad a 
large number of men well armed, equipped and organized into mili- 
tary companies for drill and practice. If he would consent to act 
as second in the action proposed to be taken in checking this seces- 
sion outbreak, there could be no doubt of its success ; for with such 
a military force under command, well armed with regulation mus- 
kets, ready for immediate service, they could crush out all the se- 
cession element that could be brought together in the city of San 
Francisco. The moment he had fixed his mind upon this gallant 
man, he fell asleep and slept soundly until aroused by the six 
o'clock bell of St. Mary's Cathedral, when he arose, took a hasty 
breakfast, and at seven o'clock was at the office of his proposed sec- 
ond in command. Fortunately lie found him at his desk, and ex- 
plained to him the object of his call. After listening carefully to 
his statement, his listener unhesitatingly accepted the position. 

DAVE SCANNELL, 

The gallant soldier of the Mexican war, and who was then the 
fearless Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department, as he is now of 
the paid department of the city of San Francisco, was the trusted 
friend whom Colonel Stevenson selected as his support. The 



43 

courageous and well-armed " fire boys " all heartily devoted to the 
perpetuity of the Union, with Colonel Stevenson in command, and 
their beloved Chief Scannell sustaining him, formed a band of pat- 
riots against whom all of California's treason would be impotent 
and unavailino^. Having" secured his allei^fiance, Colonel Stevenson 
asked Scannell how long it would take him to ascertain the exact 
numerical force he could bring into the plaza at a signal given by 
the fire alai-m bell of the City Hall. Scannell took out his watch, 
and said : " It is now eight o'clock, and it will take me some three 
hours to make the inquiry, and T will report to you at any place 
you will name at twelve o'clock," He was directed to meet the 
Chief promptly at that hour on the northwest corner of Commer- 
cial and Montgomery streets. Having promised to meet at the 
time and place named, the parties then separated, and as a suc- 
cessful movement in the right direction depended greatly upon the 
report Scannell should make him. Colonel Stevenson went to his 
office, which was in the vicinity of the point of meeting, transacted 
his ordinary morning business, and was at the place designated at 
eleven o'clock. His second joined him on the minute, and reported 
that he had made all the inquiries that were necessary to justify 
him in saying that at any hour after one o'clock of that day, upon 
the sound of 

THREE TAPS UPON THE FIRE ALARM BELL 

Of the city, he could march into the plaza with one thousand men, 
armed with the best regulation muskets of the United States, and 
otherwise fully equipped, with 25 rounds of "regulation" buck and 
ball cartridges in each cartridge box. Upon Scannell making this 
announcement. Colonel Stevenson could hardly restrain himself 
from clasping the gallant fellow to his heart, but, though forced to 
check such a demonstration in so public a place, he could not sup- 
press the warm and grateful tear that dimmed his eye and dropped 
upon his cheek. The gallant fireman saw it, and placing his hand 
upon his chief's shoulder, said, " All right, Colonel, We will crush 
out this rebellious movement or die together," They clasped 
hands and separated, with the understanding not to meet again 
until the "three taps" on the bell was sounded, for so reliant was 
the Chief upon the truth and fidelity of his friend that no other 
meeting- was deemed necessarv. From this meeting Colonel Stev- 
enson went directly to the office of 

MAJOR GENERAL JOHNSTON, 

Then in command of the Pacific Military Department of the 
United States, and found him there. As theyJwereTold and inti- 



44 

mate friends, he was received most cordially by the General, Af- 
ter the ordinary compliments of the day were exchanged he said 
to him : " General, I have called to see you upon a subject of 
vital importance to the people of this city, State and nation, and 
desire to talk frankly with you ; and, if you desire it, all that 
passes between us shall be strictly confidential, I have, within the 
last twelve liours, had placed in my hands a roll signed by some 
700 men pledging themselves to unite in a movement to take the 
State of California out of the Union and organize a Pacific Coast 
Republic, in connection with Oregon and Nevada adjoining, and 
perhaps s por-tion of Mexico ; and for that purpose a portion of the 
subscribers are to be organized into a military command, fully 
armed and equipped for immediate service^ and under the command 
of a chosen officer, to seize Alcatraz Island, the arsenal at Benicia, 
and all the public buildings and funds of the general government 
in this State." The speaker further said : " My information was 
derived from a most reliable gentleman, who called at my house at 
midnight and besought me to inniiediately 

RAISE AND ORGANIZE SOME FORCE OF PATRIOTIC MEN 

To resist this terrible raid of the traitors. 1 1 is not necessary to 
repeat now the arguments he used. It is sufficient to say that I 
yielded to his solicications, accepted the trust, and have already 
under my command 1,000 active men accustomed to toil and use 
of arms, armed with United States regulation muskets and boxes 
filled with cartridges ready for innnediate use, and who will ren- 
dezvous on the Plaza upon the sound of three taps upon the fire 
alarm bell of the City Hall, with a capable officer at the head of 
each company or scjuad. They are all reliable men ; many of them, 
like you and myself, have seen service in the war with Mexico. 
Now, sir, I know that with the small military force you have in this 
harbor at your command you have not the power to prevent 
the capture of Fort Alcatraz, the arsenal and public buildings, 
and property of the federal government in this city and surround- 
ings. Therefore, I conceive it proper, in loyalty to my country 
and duty to you, to call and say that I am ready by your authority 
to crush this rebellious and secession movement, and if you do not 
choose to accept the service of myself and comrades in arms, I unhes- 
itatingly declare that I 

WILL DO so WITHOUT YOUR ORDER 

Or permission, for I have the power and the will to do it, and you 
know me well enough to believe I will keep my word when I give 



45 

it." For a few moments the General did not speak. Then he 
commenced by saying: " I have seen and felt for some time, 
without being directly advised of it, that there was trouble brew- 
ing, that might, unless checked, lead to an outbreak, and should 
have called the forces liei-e, from the several posts within my im- 
mediate reach had I not feared it would alarm not only the citi- 
zens of San Francisco, but the people of the State, as well as 
those on the Atlantic, and thereby check, if not actually destroy, 
for a time, all the trade and commercial business of California, 
But I am happy to inform you, that I have this morning received 
direct instructions from Washington to call in all the truops that 
can be immediately reached, and strengthen all the forts in the 
harbor, and otherwise defend. the public property ; but, sir, we have 
so few soldiers here and within immediate reach that I fear it will 
take some time to bring them together at this point, as ordered." 

Colonel Stevenson expressed his delight that the General had 
received such an order. 

JOHNSTON THEN SAID : 

''Now, Colonel, what do you wish me to do immediately?" 
The answer came promptly : " First, issue an immediate order 
directing the removal of all the arnjy munitions of war of every 
description from the Benicia Arsenal and storehouses to Alcatraz 
Island ; second, an innnediate and other order prohibiting all per- 
sons, except the immediate garrison or the United States army 
officers, from landing at Alcatraz Island without your written au- 
thority ; third, cause all the munitions of war lying at or near Fort 
Point to be removed inside the fort, and place a guard of ten or 
twenty men, under the command of a reliable Sei-geant, and direct 
your Quartermaster to have the additional quarters that will be 
required for a full garrison immediately prepared, and leave to me 
the crushing out of this rebelhous scheme of a Pacific Kepublic." 

With this the Colonel left him, saying he would see him at ten 
o'clock next morning. From the General's office he went imme- 
diately to keep his appointment with the patriotic Doane, to whom 
the rebels had confided their plan of action, and offered the com- 
mand of their forces. They met at one o'clock, and the Colonel 
told him confidentially 

THAT THE REBELLIOUS MOVEMENT WAS DEAD, 

And he would never hear any more of it, but as they should not 
be seen together long enough to give full details at that time, he 
asked Doane to come to him again at midnight and he would give 



46 

him the particulars. From this meeting Stevenson went imme- 
diately to the teleofraph office and dispatched Lieutenant Governor 
Downey, then Acting Governor, that his presence was required at 
the headquarters of General Johnston at ten o'clock next morning, 
without fail, on business of the utmost importance to the State and 
nation. From the telegraph office he went directly to the office of 
the Mayor of the city of San Francisco, at that time Mr. Tesche- 
macher, and found him there, and gave him as much of the history 
of the contemplated movement as was deemed necessary, and in- 
vited him to a conference at General Johnston's headquarters be- 
tween the Governor, the General, the Mayor and himself. Until 
then the matter was to be considered strictly confidential. He 
then sought out a reliable young man, temporily employed in his 
office, and instructed him to proceed to Sacramento by the four 
o'clock steamer, and find out whether Governor Downey had left 
Sacramento for San Francisco by the steamer of that day, and to 
telegraph him immediately the result of his inquiry ; and after tel- 
egraphing, if he learned that the Governoi had not gone down to 
San Francisco, to call on him immediately, and say that his pres- 
ence was indispensably necessary at San Francisco as soon as he 
could possibly reach there. This done, the Colonel went home, ate 
a go'd dinner, read the newspaper, and about 10:30 p. m received a 
telegram from the young man, saying that 

(iOVERNOll DOWNEY HAD LEFT SACRAMENTO 

In the steamer of that day for San Francisco. Thus, as all things 
were w^orking well, the Colonel remained in the parlor awaiting 
the arrival of his visitor of the night before. He came promptly 
at midnight, and the Colonel related to him in detail all his move- 
ments from the time he left his house the night before until that 
moment, and when he had finished, Doane arose and put iiis arms 
about him and said: "God bless you, old fellow; I knew you 
were the right man, and you have not disappointed me." They 
drank a glass of sherry together, and the Sheriff left for his house, 
a most delighted and happy man. The Colonel went immediately to 
bed, arose about 8:30 o'clock next morning, and went immediately 
to General Johnston's office, which he reached some time before the 
others. General Johnston told him conadentially that he had or- 
ganized his command according to his suggestions. They were then 
joined by the Mayor of the cit}^ and Governor Downey. The 
Colonel briefly detailed to the Governor and Mayor the whole 
matter, and the action he had taken in organizing a force to crush 
out this movement, of all of which he asked their approval, which 



47 

was mostly cordially and promptly given. He then told them 
that his 

OBJECT IN ASKING FOR THE CONFERENCE 

Was, first, to obtain their approval of all his actions in the prem- 
ises ; second, to say to the Chief Magistrate of the State of Cali- 
fornia, and the Chief Magistrate of the city of San Francisco, and 
to the Commanding General of the United States military forces 
on the Pacific, that the city and State were then at peace, and the 
public property and funds of the United States unmolested, and in 
possession of the proper officers of the government, and it was the 
duty of the Governor, the Mayor, and the Commanding General 
of the Army of the United States to continue to hold and protect 
them all in safety until this speck of apparent civil war and design 
at wholesale plundering of the public property should pass away ; 
that they, and they only^ were responsible to the people and the 
government for its safety^ and if they failed in any particular in 
the performance of this important duty, and a secession outbreak 
should be the result of such neglect or treachery, he would arro- 
gate to himself the right to protect and save the city and State 
from the horrors of civil war, as he had the men and means to do 
all this if forced to the alternative. The Colonel further declared 
that if he should discover any treachery or rank treason leading to 
an outbreak, if he could catch the traitor he would 

HANG HIM ON THE FIRST LAMP POST 

He could reach without judge or jury. He then arose and said, 
*' I beg leave to withdraw, leaving all power in your hands," at the 
same time declaring that he would hold himself ready at all times 
to obey any order until the danger had passed away. Further, 
he gave them the assurance that he could command an ample and 
sufficient force to defeat in arms any and all movements that the 
would-be destroyers of the peace and happiness of this city and 
State might dare to attempt. With these remarks he left their 
presence, and although he had daily intercourse with General 
Johnston, the Mayor of the city and his brave associates in de- 
fense, who watched every movement of the Confederates, he never 
heard another word uttered by the former open-mouthed advocates 
of a Pacific republic. General Johnston informed him that all the 
arms had been removed to Alcatraz Island, the garrison of that 
post greatly increased, and no visitors were permitted to land there 
without proper permission. In a few days after these precautions 
had been taken to insure the safety of the public property of the 
general government 



48 

GENERAL SUMNER ARRIVED QUIETLY 

As has been before stated in the " Chapter of Unwritten History," 
and as Colonel Steven >oii was an old nnd intimate friend of the 
General, he soon put him in possession of all the facts of the dan- 
o-er.s we had passed, as is herein set forth. 

Colonel Stevenson at an early day determined to write and 
publish a history of his regiment and his own life in California and 
elsewhere, in which he proposed to publish what he had seen and 
done in California, and especially the part he took in suppressing 
the attempt to take California out of the Union, and convert it 
into a Pacific rppublic. He has considered it imperative to present 
the public some proof of such service fortifying his own statement 
in print. Therefore, he addressed a note to Mayor Tesche- 
macher, and his second in the movement, David Scannell, asking 
them to Pfive him their recollections of those times. Both imme- 
diately answered by sending the annexed communications which 
are now presented as evidence in proof of this second chapter of 
the unwritten history of the war of the rebellion in California. 

[COPY.] 

San Francisco, Nov. 14, 1871. 

Colonel J. D. Stevenson, San Francisco — Dear Sir: In an- 
swer to your request that I should state to you briefly my recol- 
lection of your connection with an organization of volunteers in 
this city in the year 1861, I reply as follows : Some time during 
that year (I forget now the exact time) you called on me in my 
official capacity as Mayor of San Francisco and stated that the 
late Sheriff" Doane had mentioned to you that an organization of 
people opposed to the then existing war, and sympathizing with 
the Sou til, was being secretly carried on, and the object of which 
was to carry the State of California out of the Union and declare 
it an independent Pacific republic ; you at the same time informed 
me that you had communicated with Chief Engineer Scannell, of 
the Fire Department, with a view of ascertaining the practicability 
of organizing the fire companies as volunteers to put down the con- 
templated movement, and he reported that a thousand men could 
readily be raised for such a purpose, and it was proposed to place 
you in command in case they were called out. In consequence of 
your information I consulted with Governor Downey and others. 
You were present at the meeting, and again offered your services 
in any capacity, even in the ranks, if it were thought best. For- 



49 

innately the plan was abandoned and affairs remained quiet; but 1 
was impressed at the time with your conduct on that occasion as 
that of a patriotic citizen and a thoroughly energetic Union man 

I remain respectfully yours, 

[Signed] H. F. Teschemacher. 



[COPY.] 

Clerk's Office, \ 

Board of Fire Commissioners, ; 

San Francisco, Nov. 15, 1871. ) 

Colonel Stevenson — Dear Sir : In answer to your lequest 
that I would state what part you took in checking the oi'ganiza- 
tiou of forces in this city at the commencement of the rebellion, to 
take this State out of the Union, under the pretence of establish- 
ing a " Pacific republic," I take pleasure in stating that by your 
prompt action and patriotic devotion to the Union, more than any 
other man's in California, was such a calamity averted. 

I know that at a late hour of the night, in the Spring of 1861, 
I think, you were called upon by the late Sheriff' Doane, who made 
known to you the organization of an armed force of rel)els for the 
purpose of forcing the State out of the Union. His object in call- 
ing on you was to get you to accept the caramand of a volunteer 
force to resist such a movement ; you promptly agreed to accept 
the command, and offerino- to serve in the ranks if vou could better 
serve the cause. At the time I was Chief Engineer of the Fire 
Department in this city. You called on me early next morning 
after that interview^ with Sheriff' Doane, explained all the circum- 
stances to me, and asked me to join you. I did agree to do so, and 
at your request agreed to ascertain the spirit and temper of the 
firemen of this city on the subject, and to report to you the num- 
ber of vokniteer firemen I could raise. I met you according to 
promise at twelve o'clock the same day and reported 1,000 men 
ready for such service at the tap of the City Hall bell. You im- 
mediately called the attention of the Commanding General of the 
United States Military Department, the Mayor of the city, Mr. 
Teschemacher, and, I believe, Lieutenant Gc^vernor Downey, act- 
ing Governor of the State. A meeting of those gentlemen was 
the result, and, under your advisement, such measures were ad- 
opted as effectually put a stop to all idea of any further movement 
in the way of a Pacific republic. The implicit confidence the fire- 



50 



men placed in your patriotism, your popularity and ability, to^^ether 
with my own efforts, induced each man to volunteer promptly. 

Yours respectfully, etc., 

[Signed] David Scannell. 



THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE 

OF THE 

State of California. 

Commenced the thirty-seventh annual communication at Ma- 
sonic Temple on Tuesday, Oct. 13, A. D. 1885, N. C. 5885, and 
in the ordinary course of business on the 16th of October, Past Grand 
Master, Leonidas E. Pratt, in behalf of sundry other Past Grand 
Masters and himself, presented the following memorial and reso- 
lution : 

To the Most Worshipful Gi^and Lodge, F. and A. M. of California : 

In the infancy of Freemasonry on the Pacific Coast one char- 
acter was perhaps more conspicuous than all others. His devotion 
and fidelity were never challenged ; his zeal and activity w^ere tire- 
less and unflagging, and in the days of his prosperity, his charities 
were unstinted and ummeasured even to the verge of recklessness. 
Thirty-five years ago, then in the full vigor of his ripened l)ut un- 
impaired manhood, he presided over the deliberations and guided 
the counsels of this grand body. There is much in him of which 
we may be justly proud. Few men have led more active, trying 
and adventurous lives, and few men have acquitted themselves 
with greater credit. In every capacity as civilian and as soldier, 
as public officer and as private citizen, as husband and father, and 
as friend and mason, he has faithfully redeemed every trust re- 
posed in him. He is still with us, but the merciless hand of time 
has wrought its inevitable changes. His zeal, devotion and fidelity 
are unabated, but health, strength and resources are materially de- 
pleted. At fourscore and six years of age, threescore and five of 
which have been devoted to the care of Free Masonry, misfortunes 
which no prudence or sagacity could avert sit heavily upon him and 
his invalid household, whilst the infirmities of age cruelly admonish 
that the Grand Destroyer is too rapidly wasting and consuming us 
his vitality. We need not add that we refer to our first Grand 
Master — Jonathan Drake Stevenson- justly entitled to be hailed 
as the founder and father of Free Masonry in California. He de- 



51 

serves some testimonial from us. Let us take the patriach still 
nearer to our hearts and make him the life guest of this grand 
lodofe. Let us shift from his to our own less wearied shoulders 
some of the cares and burdens of his declininof years. Let us thus 
mellow and soften his pathway to the tomb, and teach him to real- 
ize that bread cast upon the waters will sooner or later return to 
bless the oiver. In fui'therance of these sugfo-estions and to trive 
them practical effect, we present the following resolutions and com- 
mend it to your kind thoughts and considerate attention. 

Resolved, That as a token of our appreciation of the early ser- 
vices of our venerable Past Grand Master, Jonathan Drake Stev- 
enson, and in evidence of our continued esteem and affection for him 
as a man and a mason, the sum of twelve hundred dollars be set 
apart and appropriated to his use from the general fund of this 
grand lodge, to be remitted to him under the direction of the M. 
W. Grand Master u\ monthly installments of one hundred dollars 
each. 

Curtis, 

Davies, 

Titus, 

Perkins, 

Pratt. 

Which memorial and resolution were unanimously adopted. 



San Francisco, Cal., January 31, 1886. 

Hon. Leland Stanford, Senator ; Hon. W. W. Morrow, Hon. C. N. 
Felton, Hon. Barclay Henley, Hon. Joseph McKenna, Hon. 
H. H. Markham, Hon. J. A. Loutitt, Members of Congress, 
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen : Permit me to press upon your attention the claim 
of Colonel Johathan D. Stevenson to the favorable consideration 
of the nation for his great and invaluable services in the acquisition, 
and in securing to the United States, of the State of California. 

Yon know his history, and I need not call to your attention, 
the fact that he took a prominent, leading and effective part in the 
initiation and firm establishment of Anglo-Saxon civilization in the 
State of California. He wnll present documents showing the 
extent, character, and value of his services, both in originally 
securing California, and afterward preserving her to the Union 
upon the breaking out of the rebellion, to which I refer you. He 
certainly deserves as w^ell of his country for the services referred 



52 

to as any man now living for like sei'vices, and this fact should receive 
some substantial recognition on the part of Congress. 

Colonel Stevenson was eighty-six years old on the first day of 
January, 1 88G. Notwithstanding his long, active, laborious and 
useful life, he has laid up nothing for his old age; and he is now 
out of employment, and too old to again engage in the arduous 
battle of life, <.)r seek new fields of enterprise. I do not see how 
he is to maintain himself and his aged wife for the future without 
aid from some source. 

In my judgment the least that this great and prosperous nation 
can reasonably do, as a recognition of his past valuable services, is 
to grant him a pension during the little time that may be vouch- 
safed to him, on earth, not less than is allowed to a retired Colonel 
of the regular army. 

T earnestly hope that the Senators and Re})resentatives from 
the Pacific Coast, and especially from the State of California, will 
exert their utmost energy and influence to procure at the present 
session of Congress the passage of an act granting him such pen- 
sion. The neglect of Congress to make this slight recognition of 
his past servies would be to add to the world's history another in- 
stance of the ingratitude of republics. 

Respectfully and sincerely yours 

LORENZO SAWYER. 

United States Circuit Judge, 

OGDEN HOFFMAN, United States District Judge. 
GEORGE M. SARIN, United States District Judge, Dis- 
trict of Nevada. 

STATJi: JUDICIARY. 

JUSTICES OF SUPREME COURT. 

S. B. McKEE, J. R. SHARPSTEIN, 

M. H. MYRICK, JAMES D. THORNTON, 

E. W. McKINSTRY, E. M. ROSS. 

SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES. 

JAMES G. MAGUIRE, Judge Superior Court. 

D. J. MURPHY, 

D. J. TOOHY, 

T. K WILSON, 

M. A. EDMONDS, 

J. M. HUNT, 

J. V. COFFEY, 



53 

J. F. SULLIVAN, Jud^e Superior Court. 
F. W. LAWLER 
WALTER H. LEVY, " 
T. H. REARDON, 
JOHN F. FINN, 

THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF 8AN FRANCISCO. 

By SAMUEL M. WILSON, President. 

GOVERNOR AND EX-(iOVERNORS OF CALIFORNIA. 

GEOPvGE STONEMAN, Governor. 

PETER H. BUKNETT, Ex-Governor. 

WILLIAM IRWIN, 

GEORGE C. PERKINS, 

NEWTON BOOTH, 

JOHN MANSFIELD, Fx-Lieutenant Governor. 

JAMES A. JOHNSON, 

MAYOR AND EX-MAYORS. 

WASHINGTON BARTLETT, Mayor of San Francisco. 
A. J. BRYANT, Ex-Mayor of San Francisco. 
W^ILLIAM AVORD, " 
M. B. BLAKE, 
E. W. BURR, 

UNITED STATES REVENUE DEPARTMENT. 

JOHN S. HAGAR, Collector of the Port of San Francisco. 
W. J. TINNIN, Surveyor of the Port of San Francisco. 
STUART TAYLOR,' Naval Officer of the Port of San 
Francisco. 

Democratic and Republican Presidential Electors. 
CHARLES KOHLER, Democrat. 
JAMES M. EATON, 
HORACE DAVIS, Republican. 

M. H. HECHT, 



At a regular meeting of the San Francisco Bar Association for 
the present month, amongst other proceedings the following reso- 
lution was unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That in our venerable associate and fellow citizen 
Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson, we recognize a man who has earned 
and deserves the respect and gratitude of his countrymen ; by his 
early services in his native State in the promotion and discipline of 



54 

a "well regulated militia ;" by his prompt and efficient aid, through 
his regiment, in achieving and securing California as a part of our 
national domain ; and by his steady loyalty and devotion to the 
good order, unity and honor of the State and Nation. From nearly 
forty years of his residence at this city, and in view of his char- 
acter and public services he has become honored and venerable 
in our eyes. We would, therefore, cordially unite with others in a 
petition to Congress to pay a just tribute of our country's respect 
and g-ratitude to the distino-uished career of Colonel J. D. Steven- 
son, in the way of a liberal pension, (now much needed), to cheer 
and support his declining strength and years. 

By order of the Association. 

SAM'L M. WILSON, President. 
THOS. V. O'BRIEN, Secretary. 

San Francisco, California, February 26, 1886. 



Office of the ") 

Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, > 

Second Floor, New City Hall. ) 

San Francisco, February 11, 1886. 

Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson. 

Sir : I have the honor herewith to transmit a copy of Resolu- 
tion No. 18,639, (New Series), adopted by unanimous vote by the 
Board of Supervisors, of this city and county, at a meeting held 
February 1, 1886. 

Very respectfully, 

JOHN A. RUSSELL, Clerk, 
W. T. PATTERSON, Deputy. 

resolution no. 18,639, (new series). 
Whereas, We are advised that our venerable fellow-citizen. 
Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson, is about to apply to the Congress 
of the United States, now in session, for relief by pension or oth- 
erwise, as a just reward for the many important and invaluable ser- 
vices he has rendered to his country and the State of California in 
his long civil and military life. 

Therefore, as a just tribute to his worth as a citizen and soldier, 
and the fidelity with which he has ever performed his duties in 
public and private life. 

Be it resolved, that we do respectfully and sincerely ask the Con- 



55 

gress of the United States to pass such an A.ct as will afford the 
relief prayed for, and we do respectfully ask the delegates repre- 
senting the people of the State of California, now serving in the 
Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, to use 
their best efforts to procure the passage of such an Act. 

And the Clerk is hereby directed to advertise this resolution as 
required by law. 

In Board of Supervisors, San Francisco, February 1^ 1886. 

Adopted by the following vote : 

Ayes — Supervisors Gates, Roy, Kunkler, Abbott, Farwell, 
Pond, Williamson, Farns worth, Heyer, Gilleran, McMillan, Val- 
leau. 

JOHN A. RUSELL, Clerk. 



Los Angeles, California, February 1st, 1886. 

To the Honorable California Delegation, in the Senate and House 
of Representatives in Congress, assembled : 

Senator. — Hon. Leland Stanford. 

Representatives. — Hons. Barclay Henley, C. N. Felton, W. 
W. Morrow, Joseph McKenna, H. H. Markham, J. A. Loutitt. 

We, the undersigned, would respectfully memoralize your hon- 
orable delegation to give their support to the bill introduced in 
Congress, granting a pension to the surviving officers and privates 
who served in the war with Mexico, in the years 1846-7 8. 

The few survivors are now old men, and many of them are in 
needy circumstances, and the little pittance thus granted to them 
would be a great help in their few remaining years ; and some re- 
ward and acknowledgment of the services rendered by them. In 
connection with the General Pension Bill, we heartily and respect- 
fulW endorse the claims of Colonel J. D. Stevenson, who com- 
manded the regiment of New York Volunteers, enlisted in 1846 for 
service during the war in California. Colonel Stevenson was or- 
dered by Brigadier General S. W. Kearney, then Commander-in- 
Chief, to the command of the Southern Military Department of 
California, with headquarters in Los Angeles city, where he ar- 
rived and took command. May, 1847, and remained until his regi- 
ment was mustered out, in September, 1848. This section of 
California had been the scene of an outbreak by the native Califor- 
nians, in September, 1846, which was not suppressed until June, 
1847, and Colonel Stevenson, by his firm and conciliatory conduct 
while in command, contributed greatly to reconcile the native pop- 



5(i 

ulation to their new condition as prospective American citizens. 
His whole administration was marked by the utmost harmony and 
good will between the military and citizens, both American and 
Mexican, and contributed more than the efforts of any other 
man to the good understanding that led to the formation of the 
Constitution of 1847, and the admission of California into the 
Union. 

Colonel Stevenson is now verging on 90 years of age, and in 
reduced circumstances, and the pay and emoluments which he asks, 
would seem to be but a reasonable reward for his services rendered 
forty yeai's ago. 

Respectfully your obedient servants, 

STEPHEN C. FOSTER, Interpreter, 1847-8 9 ; Alcalde of 
Los Angeles, 1848-9 ; Mayor of Los Angeles City, 1854-56. 

JOHN S. GRIFFIN, 'late Assistant Surgeon, United States 
A rmy. 

L. C. GUDWIN, of Company C, Georgia Battalion of 
Cavalry. 

JOSHUA ALVIN TALBOTT, First Lieutenant, Sixth 
Louisiana Volunteers 

MYRUN MORTON, First Lieutenant, First Regiment New 
York Volunteers, Colonel J. D. Stevenson. 

MARTIN McCARTY, private, First Ohio Volunteers, Com- 
pany A. 

WILLIAM L. SAMUEL, private, Third Kentucky Regi- 
ment, Company H, Sinnnes, commanding. 

JAMKS B. CAYWOOD, First Sergeant, Company C, United 
States Infkntrv. No. 8. 

CEORGE TILE, teamster, Missouri Battalion. 

SHONATHAN KNETT, private. Third United States In- 
fantrv, Companv A, Captain Bartei'. 

JOSEPH i)UNLASS, Second Mississippi RiHes, Secretary 
of the Association of Veterans of the Mexican War. 

GURSHAM CALVER NORRIS, private. Company K, 
Fifteenth Regiment, United States Infantry. 

JAMES A. STAN DEFER, private, Second Regiment, Texas 
Cavalry. 

We, the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles Count3^ Cali- 
fornia, hereby lieartily endorse the above petition, 

OSCAR MACY, Chairman. 
GEORGE HINDS, MILTON LINDLEY, 

JACOB RuSS. JAMES FOORD 



57 

We, the Council of the city of Los Angeles, hereby heartily 
endorse the above petition. 

E. V. SPENCE, Mayor of Los Angeles. 

H. SINSABAUGH, President of City Council. 

S. M. PERRY, CYRUS WILLARD. 

LIT BRUI), J. WAUKENFIELD, 

JAMES D. BULLIS, E. V. JONES, 

THOMAS GOSS, JACOB KURTZ, 

CEO. L. STEAREN, M. V. BISCAILUS. 



Santa Barbara, February 22, 1886. 

To the Honorable the Members of the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives of the United States in Congress, assembled : 

The undersigned would respectfully represent that they came 
to California in the year 1846, as members of Stevenson's Regi- 
ment of California Volunteers in the war with Mexico. Having 
just learned that our old commander, Colonel J. D. Stevenson, is 
about to ask the Congress of the United States to award him a 
pension for his gallant services rendered the Nation in both his 
military and civil life, and all who are familiar with those services, 
most earnestly desire his success, and, therefore, earnestly solicit 
for him your official aid in the passage of a bill through Congress 
for his relief, as well as for the General Pension Bill, now before 
Congress for the general relief of all soldiers who served in Cali- 
fornia and elsewhere in the war with Mexico. 

HENRY S. CARNS, First Lieutenant Company F, First New 
York Volunteers. 

GEO. W. COFFIN, Mayor of Santa Barbara._ 

J. L. R. VANCE, Chaimian Board of Supervisors. 

J. W. TORRENCE/i 

D. T. TRUITT, ! Members of Board 

THOS. HASMER, \ of Supervisors. 

C. W. MERRITT, ) 

THOS. Mc NULTA, Company N, Epineil Zouaves, Company 
A, Anderson Zouaves. 

F. L. KELLOG, Countv Clerk. 

CHAS. FFRNALD, Commissioner of U. S. Circuit Court, 
Ninth Circuit, District of California. 

T. S. MARTIN, Fremont's Battalion. 

J. H. SUMMERS, Company R, Fourth U. S. Artillery. 



58 

EDW. RUNDELL, of Captain Joseph Adam's Co., and of 
Lieutenant Colonel Fremont's Company. 

F. E. BARTLETT, Company C, Second Dragoons. 

RUFUS SMITH, Company K, Eighth Regiment, Vermont 
Volunteers. 

ANDREW MARTIN, served under Colonel Price. 

J. M. HUNTER, Third Louisiana Volunteers, Mexican 
Veteran. 

MARTIN GLAZE, served under Colonel Price, Missouri 
Volunteers. 

JOHN SCOLLAN, Company A, First Regiment, N. Y. 
Volunteers. 

J. E. MULHAUSE, Company F, N. Y. Volunteers. 



San Francisco, Cal., February 4, 1886. 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 

Whcj-eas, The undersigned merchants and members of the 
Chamber of Commerce in the port of San Francisco, State of 
California, have heard with great pleasure that Colonel J. D. Stev- 
enson, the distinguished pioneer soldier of California, is about to 
ask the Congress of the Ujiited States, now in session, to grant 
him relief by pension or otherwise, as a just and proper tribute for 
his long and devoted services rendered to his country, and the State 
of California as well, in civil as in military life. 

Colonel Stevenson came to California during the war with 
Mexico, in command of the First Regiment of New York Volun- 
teers, organized, armed and equipped under his entire direction, 
and himself and regiment stipulated with the government to be 
mustered out of service on the soil of California at the close of the 
war, provided it had become a part of the United States by con- 
quest, or by treaty stipulations. 

How" faithfully and well he has fulfilled this contract is well- 
known to every resident of California, and we believe that every 
resident of California, who has the least knowledge of the impor- 
tant services he has rendered his country, w^ould most cheerfully 
unite in aiding him in his honorable aspiration, to obtain from his 
government a proper recognition for his services, as will be shown 
by the memorial he will cause to be presented to the assembled 
Congress of the Nation. 

Therefore, we most earnestly urge the Representatives of the 
State of California to use their best efltbrts to procure the passage 



59 

of an Acb for the just and equitable relief for which he asks. For 
Colonel Stevenson is held in the highest estimation by all who 
know him, for his upright and honorable deportment in every rela- 
tion of his long and useful life, desirious only of the welfare of his 
country and his nation and the State of his adoption. 

William L. Merry, First Vice-President. 
W. W. Montague, C. L. Taylor, W. H. "Dimond, Hugh Craig, 
Alfred B. Elfelt. J. N. Knowles. L. L. Baker, Albert Miller, A. 
E. Hecht, J. J. McKinnon. 



San Francisco, Cal., February 1, 188G. 

SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS. 

Whereas, It has been made known to us that our fellow-citizen 
Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson will ask the Congress of the 
United States, now in session, to pass an Act awarding him a pen- 
sion for and on account of his numerous and valuable services ren- 
dered to the Nation and State of California during the war with 
Mexico, and subsequently by aiding and assisting in the organiza- 
tion and forming the acquired Territory of California into a noble 
State of the Union 

Colonel Stevenson brought with him to California a thousand 
armed colonists all of them in good health and sound constitution, 
and of every profession and trade, with their tools to operate in 
their several occupations known in civil life, who, when they en- 
listed, agreed to stay in California, thus planting a colony of free 
born intelligent men, who were distributed to various parts of the 
country, thus planting the banner of their country at every post 
they were stationed, and with the flag planted the germ of Ameri- 
can civilization from which sprung the organization of the Society 
of California Pioneers. He suggested its organization, planned 
its constitution, and presided at every meeting of its members un- 
til its organization was completed. 

Therefore, as a just tribute to his work as a citizen and soldier, 
and the fidelity with which he has performed his duties in public 
and private life, be it 

Resolved, That we do respectfully and earnestly request the 
Congress of the United States, now in session, to pass an Act 
granting him a pension commensurate to the services rendered by 
him, and we respectfully urge the Pepresentatives of the State of 
CaUfornia in the Senate and House of Representatives to use 
their united efforts to procure the passage of such an Act. 



60 

I hereby certify that the foregoing preamble and resohition was 
unanimously adopted by the Society of California Pioneers at a 
regular monthly meeting of its members held on the first day of 
February, A. D. 1886. 

[seal.] H. T. Graves, Secretary. 

San Francisco, Feb. 2, 1886. 



San Francisso, Cal., January 14, 1886. 

ASSOCIATED VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Whereas, We are advised that our comrade. Colonel Jonathan 
D. Stevenson, is about to apply to the Congress of the United 
States, now in session at the city of Washington, for relief by pen- 
sion or otherwise, and 

Whereas, Mindful of the unavoidable embarrassments that now 
surround him at the age of fourscore years and six. 

Therefore, in just rec(jgnition of the eminent services i-endered 
by Colonel J. D. Stevenson to the Government of the United 
States and the State of California in both a military and civil ca- 
pacity, and the high standard of efficiency and integrity that has 
always characterized the discharge of his duties and of his worth 
and merit as a citizen and soldier 

Resolved, That we the Associate Veterans of the War with 
Mexico, do respectfully and most earnestly solicit the Congress of 
the United States, now in session in the city of Washington, to 
pass such an Act granting the relief asked for by pension or oth- 
erwise, that will insure his comfort to the end of his long and use- 
ful life. 

Wm. L. Duncan, President. 
[seal.] H. L. Von Geistfield, Secretary. 



San Francisco, February 17th, 1886. 

Whereas, The Boai'd of Education of the City and County of 
San Francisco learning that our venerable and universally respected 
citizen, Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson, is about to ask relief from 
the government of the United States by pension, or otherwise, in 
consideration of the many valuable and important services he has 
rendered the nation and the State of California in his military and 
civil life. 

Colonel Stevenson arrived in California on the 6th of March, 
1847, with the First Regiment of New York Volunteers, raised 



and organized by him especially for .service in California, and under 
an agreement that at the close of the war with Mexico the}^ should 
be mustered out of service in California, and thereby become per- 
manent residents of the country, each with the implements of his 
profession, trade, or occupation. 

And in establishing the several military posts at different 
points in the State, which they were especially ordered to occupy, 
further orders were given for the establishing of a public school at 
every post over which the stars and stripes were floating. And 
again, when the war was ended, and he had returned to civil lite, 
and was residing in the town of Yerba Buena, noM' the great city 
of San Francisco, his first acts were the organizing of an associa- 
tion to hire rooms and employ teachers to open the first public 
school established in San Francisco, and to urge the establishment 
of churches. Colonel Stevenson lieading the list of subscribers of 
each and every church with a liberal donation. 

Thus laying the corner-stone of American civilization and of' 
Christian feeling, he has justly acquired the well deserved title of 
the Father and Founder of American Civilization in California. 

Resolved, That we deem it eminently proper and an act of jus- 
tice to him to urge the Representatives of the State of California, 
in the Congress now assembled, to use their best efforts to procure 
the passage of an act by said Congress, granting the relief by pen- 
sion or otherwise. 

San Fkancisco, March 1st, 1886. 

The foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of a preamble and 
resolution passed by the Board of Education of the City and 
County ef San Francisco, California, at a meeting held on the 1 7th 
day of February, 1886. 

J. T. McGEOGHEGAN, 
[seal.] Secretary Board Education 

ANDREW J. MOULDER, 

Superintendent Common Schools. 



San Francisco, February, 1886. 

Whereas, We have seen by the action of the Board of Super- 
visors of the city of San Francisco at their monthly meeting on 
the first instant, that Colonel J. D Stevenson is about to ask the 
Congress of the United States, now in session, for tile passage of 
an Act for his relief by pension or otherwise, as an act of common 
justice for the great and important services he has rendered to the 
Nation and the State of California. 



62 

Colonel Stevenson is probably the oldest living exempt fireman 
in the United States; as he became a fireman in March, 1818, and 
served a regular term of ten years before he became an exempt, 
and those of us who were residents of California at the oro-aniza- 
tion of the volunteer Fire Department of San Francisco, well 
know that he was the most active and liberal in the necessary ex- 
penditures for its organization. Asa Chief Engineer was to be 
chosen the city authorities requested Colonel Stevenson to select 
the chief for appointment and he presented the name of Fred. 
Kohler, at a salary of |5,000 per annum. 

Resolved, That we respectfully request as companies each for it- 
self, our several foremen, together with our Chief and the Fire 
Commissioners, to be our representatives in a united memorial to 
the Congress of the United States, now in session, to pass such an 
A ct as will be commensurate Avith the services he has rendered to 
his country during his long and eventful life. 

FIRE COMMISSIONERS. 

FRANK G. EDWARDS, F. C. SIEBE, 

SAMUEL NEWMAN, JOHN MASON, 

C. E. SLOSS, 

BOARD OF ENGINEERS. 

DAVID SCANNELL, Chief 
JAMES RILEY, A. C. IMBRIE, 

CEO. W. KENNARD, THOS. SANDS, 

JOHN McCarthy, 

E. B. VREELAND, Clerk of Commissioners. 

BOARD OF FOREMEN S. F. F. DEPARTMENT. 

Foreman Engine Co. 1— JOHN HEWSTON. 

2— R DOWNING. 

3— M. J. DOLAN. 

4 -PATRICK CURRAN. 

5— JOHN J. MAHONEY. 

e^JOHN DOUGHERTY. 

7 -JOHN O'NEIL. 

8— JAMES GRADY. 

9— JOHN W.WELSH. 
" 10— B. A. RAWLE. 
" 11— CHARLES J. GILLEN. 
" 12— JOHN LAVARONI. 
'' 13— D. H. SMITH. 
" 14— THOS. McCRAITH. 
" 15— THOS.CAVANAGH. 



63 

Truck Company 1— ALBIN RISSLAND. 

2^C0NS. SHINE 
'' " 3— GEO. SILVEY. 

4— JAMES W. KENTZEL. 
Hose Company 1— CHARLES TOWE. 

" ^ 2— CON. SHINE 

3— ISAAC DENNISTON. 

4— JAMES DURHAM. 

5--JAMES RILEY. 

7— MICHAEL McLEERY. 

8 -J. J. CASEBOLT. 

9— SAMUEL GARDNER. 



San Francisco, February, 1886. 

To the Honorable, the Senators, and House of Representatives in 
Congress, assembled : 
The undersigned, Chief and Captains of the Police depart- 
ment of the City and County of San Francisco, having learned 
that our venerable fellow-citizen, Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson, 
is about to apply to Congress for the passage of an act for his 
relief by pension or otherwise, in payment for the long, extraordi- 
nary service he has rendered the State of California by its conquest, 
and orofanizintr it into a State, and for sei'vices rendered the o-qv- 
eminent and the nation at lara^e. Colonel Stevenson brouofht with 
him to California an organized colony of 1,' 00 armed men to aid 
in its conquest, and to form settlements, and when planting the 
stars and stripes, they at the same time sowed the germs of Amer- 
ican civilization, which at this time has grow^n one of the brightest 
ofems in our diadem of States. 

From the hour he landed on the soil of California, his every 
effort as a citizen and a soldier has been devoted to its prosperity 
and aggrandizement, and in no place has it been more conspicuous 
than in the city of San Francisco, and the State at large indebted 
for its organization and prosperity in its early days. 

We, therefore, earnestly solicit the Congress of the nation to 
to afford him him such relief as will enable him to live in the 
height of comfort to the end of his long, useful and well-spent life. 

P. CROWLEY, Chief of Police. 

E. W. LEES, Captain of Detectives. 

WM. J. DOUGLASS, Captain of Pohce. 

A. W. STONE, 

A. J. DUNLEVY 

ALFRED CLARKE, Clerk Chief of Police. 



64 

We take great pleasure in concurring with the foregoing res- 
olution. 

KICHARD P. HAMMOND, President Board Police 

Commissioners. 
WIILLIAM ALVORD, Police Commissioner. 
ROBERT J. TOBIN. 



San Francisco, February, 1886. 

To the Honorable, the Representatives of the State of California in 
the Senate and House of Representatives, now in Congress 
assembled, in the City of Washington : 

The undersigned, late officers, non-commissioned officers, musi- 
cians and privates of the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers 
in the war with Mexico, most respectfully request you to use your 
best efforts to procure the passage of the Pension Bill, now before 
Congress, giving bounty to the volunteer soldiers in the war with 
Mexico, or any other bill that will give us the long-promised 
bounty. 

And having learned that our late Connnander, Colonel Jona- 
than Drake Stevenson, is about to make a special application to 
Cono-ress for relief, by way of pension or otherwise, we, the un- 
dersigned, do most earnestly urge you to use your best eftorts to 
procure for him the passage of any bill tliat may be presented in 
Congress to give him the relief prayed for by him and his numer- 
ous iPriends, and fellow-citizens of California and elsewhere. 

We who served under him well know his worth and ability as 
a commander, and from the moment he entered upon his duties at 
Governor's Island, in the harbor of New York, he was ever ac- 
tively engaged in preparing his command for the the arduous duties 
before them, watching carefully for the comfort of all under his 
charge with a father's interest and care, and such was his invaria- 
ble habit until the hour we were mustered out of service, directing 
all with a strict attention to their duties, and especially to treating 
the conquered people of California as friends and brothers, forget- 
ting apparently that they were other than his own people. Hence 
he inspired the whole community of California with that reverence 
and respect for him which was his just due, and enabled him to 
preserve that peace and good order between the soldiers of his 
command and the Native Californians, that made the change in 
their national government so acee])table to them. 



65 

We therefore earnestly pray that the Congress may grant him 
the most hberal pension that our laws will authorize. 

W. R. PARKER, Asst. Surgeon. 
E. WILLIAMS, 1st Lieut., Co. E. 
W. G. MARCY, Capt. and Commissarie. 
EMIL A. ENGELBERG, Musician. 
CHARLES RUSS, Fifer, Co. F. 
WM. W. BROWN, Co. A. 
PATRICK LYNCH, Co. B. 
JOHN DELICK, Co. D. 
CASTOR BRIGGS, Co. E. 
WILLIAM BOYERS, Co. E. 
GEORGE H. GROEFF, Co. E. 
M. TUCKMAN, Co. G. 
JAMES ADAMS, Co. G. 
CHAS. SCHROTH, Co G. 
WILLIAM H. MARTIN, Co. H. 
E. MARTIN SMITH, Co. I. 
CORNELIUS SULLIVAN, Co. I. 
JOHN CARTER, Co. K. 



Headquarters Department of California, ) 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, - 

Assistant Adjutant-General's Office. ) 

San Francisco, Cal., March 4th, 1886. 

Colonel J. D. Stevenson, San Francisco, Cal. 
Colonel : 

I have the honor to inform you that at the Nineteenth Annual 
Encampment of the Department of California, Grand Army of the 
Republic, held at Sacramento on the 18th, 19th and 20th of 
February just past, the following resolutions were unanimously 
carried, viz. : 

Whereas, It has been made known to the Nineteenth Annual 
Encampment of the Department of California, Grand Army of the 
Repubhc, that J. D. Stevenson, late Colonel commanding First 
Regiment of New York Volunteers in the Mexican war, intends 
to petition the Congress of the United States to grant him a pen- 
sion for services rendered to his country. 

Whereas, This encampment, representing the Grand Army of 
the Republic of this State, gratefully acknowledge and appreciate 
the valuable services Colonel Stevenson has rendered the nation 



66 

and the State of California in military and civil positions of great 
responsibility, and 

Whereas, The old veteran, in his great age of 87 years, needs, 
deserves, and is entitled to aid and assistance of his country for 
the remaining days of his life. Therefore, be it 

fRe solved, By the Grand Army of the Republic of this State, 
in Department Encampment assembled, that we recognize in 
Colonel J. D. Stevenson a veteran soldier of such sterling quality 
of loyalty, bravery and honesty that he is entitled to the sympathy 
and admiration of all true soldiers and loyal citizens of the United 
States. 

(Resolved, That we endorse his petition to Congress with pro- 
found gratitude for his services, and with the hope that his just 
demands may receive the most favorable consideration of Congress. 

(Resolved, That it is the sense of this Encampment that in en- 
dorsing Colonel Stevenson's petition, we express the unqualified 
desire and wishes of our comrades of the Grand Army and the 
people of the State of California. 

[seal.] I have the honor to be. Colonel, 

very respectfully, 

W. R. SMEDBERG, 

Department Commander. 

T. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant General 



912 Garrison Avenue, St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 2, 1886.^ 
Hon. John Sherman, U. S. Senator, y 

Washington, D. C. j 
Dear Brother: 

I write you in the interest of my old California friend. Colonel 
J. D. Stevenson, now nearly 87 years old, who finds it necessary to 
call on Uncle Sam for help. I believe the history of California is 
familiar to you, and to all Senators; and since 1846 the name of 
Colonel J. D. Stevenson has been identified with it. You can re- 
call that I went out with Toinpkin's Company, Third Artillery, 
and debarked at Monterey in January, 1847. Three sailing ships 
— the Thomas H. Perkins, Loo-Chow and Susan Drew — arrived 
in the Bay of San Francisco in March, 1847. There was no city 
or even town of San Francisco then, but a village of Yerba Buena. 
These ships contained a Regiment of Volunteers with special en- 
listment to serve in the war with Mexico and afterward to Colon- 
ize and Americanize California. I was the Adjutant General, 



67 

first of the stern but splendid Soldier R. B. Mason, afterward of v^ 
the General Pursifer F. Smith, utitil 1850. During- all this time 
the correspondence passed through me, and I take especial pleasure 
at this late day to bear witness that Colonel J. D. Stevenson in all 
his official relations was a model of earnest, intelligent and zealous 
servant to the United States. 

In the many visits I have made to California since, I have 
never failed to call and pay him my personal and official respect, 
and so far as I know he has never asked a favor of the Govern- 
ment unless to be employed in some office, with moderate salary. 
You and others may think with his opportunities he ought to be a 
millionaire, but all the time he has had children, grandchildren 
and great grandchildren, to whom he has endeavored to be gener- 
ous and libera], and now in his extreme old age he applies for help. 
All I can say is that if this Government regards California in the 
diadem of States a glittering jewel, it owes to Colonel J. D. Stev- 
enson both honor and a generous provision for his old age. 

Affectionately, 

W. T. SHERMAN. 



Sacramento, February 10th, 1886. 

Senator Leland Stanford, Washington, D. C: 

Dear Sir. — My very dear friend, Colonel J. D. Stevenson, 
goes to Washington, hoping that the Congress of the United 
States will see its way clear to bestow upon him a pension, com- 
mensurate with the many and distinguished services to his country 
during his long and arduous life. Any aid you will be able to 
render him in the farthering his efforts will, I am certain, be duly 
and thankfully appreciated by his many devoted friends in Cal- 
ifornia. He commenced public life almost a century ago, and the 
best assurances of his honesty and integrity in public affairs is 
that those who know him the longest appreciate him the highest- 
Please allow me to bespeak for him at your hands your most earn, 
est efforts in his behalf, and believe me very respectfully, 

most trul}' yours, 

GEORGE STONEMAN, 

Governor of California. 



68 

San Francisco, Cal., Jan. 24th, 1886. 
Hon. S. B. Maxey, U. S. Senator: 

My (Dear Maxey. — At the commencement of the Mexican 
War in 1846, there was mustered into service, for special duty in 
Cahfornia, a New York Regiment of Volunteers, commanded by 
Cohinel J. D. Stevenson. 

This regiment was enlisted for the war, and was to be dis- 
charged when the war was over in California, provided California 
became American territorv as the result of the war. The regfi- 
ment was of course discharged and mustered out, and its individ- 
uals scattered through the land, and formed the nucleus of various 
communities and furnished the means and muscle and brains of 
divers industries and business. When I arrived here on the first 
day of April, 1849, I found Colonel Stevenson practically at the 
head of affairs. He was the chief man in this city — prosperous 
then, and always in the front of every enterprise to promote the 
advancement of American interests on this Coast. 

His full hand w^as ever ready to help in any direction which 
promised good government and security for life and property. 
His charities were boundless, and 1 believe he dispensed more good 
and restrained more evil than any man I found here. I was em- 
ployed myself in connection with Sherman (W. T.) and Jim Blair 
of the Navy, by him to survey and map the upper waters of the 
Bay of San Francisco, the result of which work was to open to 
larger vessels the vast interior of the country, through the Sacra- 
mento and San Joaquin Rivers, which had remained closed to all 
but small craft above and beyond Benicia. I mention this as a 
sample of his public spirit. The map of our work, lithographed 
in New York, at his own cost, and scattered here free, were the 
first guides to navigation above Benicia. 

As so often happens to the early pioneers of a country, Colonel 
Stevenson has not " gathered grain," and at four score years and 
six is obliged to look to his country which owes him so much, for 
the little that may serve for the short remainder of his life. 

He asks to be placed on the retired list of the Army, with the 
pay allowed to his grade of Colonel when retired. I do not know 
if this can be done, it may not be without precedent, but I feel 
sure if it can be accomplished the boon has been deserved, and will 
be most justly and worthily bestowed. 

My note to you is a meagre outline, but will serve to present 
Colonel J. D. Stevenson to you, and will be backed, no doubt, by 
our friend Sherman, who knows all the facts even more than I. 



69 

You will probably recollect Stevenson of the Old Seventh, and 
I feel quite sure if you can see the way, you will be willing to 
serve the ao-ed Father. 

Very truly your friend, 

R. P. HAMMOND. 



Los Angeles, Cal., February, 1886, 
From Dr. John S. Griffin, late Surgeon in U. S. Army, to 
Hon. Leland Stanford, U. S. Senator : 

Sir. — At the request of the Mexican War Veterans I have 
enclosed to Colonel J. D. Stevenson a petition to be sent to your 
care, with the request from these old soldiers that you will look 
after their interest. 

We are all especiall3^ anxious that our old commander. Colonel 
J. D. Stevenson, should be placed on the pension list, with the 
rank and pay of a Colonel. 

Several of us served under the Colonel's command at this city 
in the yeais 1847 and 1848. 

We know personally that his services were of the greatest 
value to the government ; that b}'' his firmness and good govern- 
ment he prevented on more than one occasion an armed opposition 
by the natives of the country, 

I hope you will pardon my addressing you personally, as you 
no doubt have forgotten me. I had the pleasure of meeting you, 
with other gentlemen of the railroad, at a banquet given at the 
time we made the connection by rail with San Franeisco. 

I am, Senator, most respectfully, 

your obedient servant, 

JOHN S. GRIFFIN. 



P DE Los Angeles, July 22nd, 1847. 

Sir. — Before I leave the Pueblo I cannot but render you my 
most heartfelt gratitude for your services on our behalf, and for 
your kind and gentlemanly treatment to myself in connection with 
the other officers and men of the battalion. As an officer your 
treatment has been kind and affectionate ; as a gentleman your 
society has been interesting, edifying and most friendly. In all 
my associations with the officers of the command I have heard 



70 

feeling of great satisfaction and gratitude expressed towards you at 
all times, and a desire that they who stopped here might enjoy 
your society long, and on the part of those who left, that "they 
might soon meet you under favorable and as friendly circumstances 
as the present. 

Respectfully your obt, servant and friend, 

JEFFERSON HUNT, 

Late Captain Commanding Mormon Battalion. 

To Colonel J. D. Stevenson, Commanding Southern Military 
District of California. 



Los Angeles, Cal., January 26, 1886. 
Hon. H. H. Markham : 

Sir — I learn that an effort will be made to procure the passage 
of an act by the present Congress, granting a pension to Col. J. 
D. Stevenson of San Francisco. 

Colonel Stevenson commanded a regiment of New York Vol- 
unteers, which was raised at the commencment of the war with 
Mexico, for service in that war. He came to California with his 
regiment, and the military and civil service which he rendered the 
government during the war, and until mustered out of service at 
the close thereof, merit a higher reward than he has received, and 
fully entitle him to a pension during the remaining few years of 
his life. 

Although not a Democrat, his services in the Mexican war, 
which was a Domocratic measure, should entitle his claim for a 
pension to the support of a Democratic House of Representatives. 
I hope you will do what you can to secure the favorable action of 
Congress in the matter. 

Respectfully yours, 

J. J. WARNER. 



Los Anc4eles, Cal., February 6th, 1886. 
To the Honorable Members of Congress from California : 

Gentlemen — I learn that Col. J. D. Stevenson, of San Fran- 
cisco, may ask Congress to enact a special law granting him a pen- 
sion for the military and civil service rendered by him during the 
Mexican war. 

I was a resident of the Southern part of California during the 



n 

whole time in which Col. Stevenson was in the military and semi- 
political command of this part of California, the inhabitants of 
which were at that time, both socially and politically, in a disturbed 
and chaotic condition, and I willingly bear testimony to the wise 
and judicious exercise by him of his military and civil authority in 
the restoration of order and obedience to the laws by the inhabi- 
tants generally, and in my judgment his services were such as en- 
title him, not only to the kind remembrance of the people, but to 
a suitable recognition by the government in reward for such ser- 
vices as will enable him to pass his few remaining years in ease 
and comfort. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, 

J. J. WAENEK 

Althousfh the followino- letters, the orig^inals of which I have 
in my possession, may not be considered as having any bearing 
upon any claim I may have upon my Goveri;iment for services ren- 
dered, I deem it proper that you should know the position and 
standing I occupied in the community, previous to my entering 
into the military service of the United States, and I am proud to 
refer you to the personal letters of the great men and statesmen of 
that period. 

I deem it eminently proper to show at the end of my memorial 
the vast difference in the condition of California on the da}^ of my 
arrival and taking possession on 6th March 1847, and 6th March, 
1886. 

On 6th March, 1847, there was neither Custom House or 
Tonnage Register office for vessels. 

On 6th March, 1847, the day I took possession of the town of 
Yerba Buena, there were but 34 buildings and shelters of all kind 
and the number of its inhabitants did not exceed 250. 

On 6th March, 1886, the number of buildings in the City of 
San Francisco was 40,000, and its inhabitants upward of 300,000, 
and the assessed value of the property was $195,000,000 and the 
registry of the outstanding tonnage at the Custom House on the 
31st December, 1885, was 242,555.46, and the total number of 
vessels registered was 858 at that date. The whole of the busi- 
ness part of the city was destroyed three times in the years 1849- 
50-51. 




^-^^^L^. 



72 

I Private and Confidential.] 

Washington, 13th Nov., 1840. 

(Dear Sir. — Your interesting letter of the 12th inst. has just 
been received. I regret to learn the indisposition of Mrs. Steven- 
son, and trust that time and reflection will reassure her health and 
spirits. There is a power above that shapes our ends, and that 
will temper the mind to the shorn lamb ; and that power can- 
not but protect those who suffer under unjust calumny and perse- 
cution. Both of you will require firmness, and will find it in the 
end better, much, to stem a sea of troubles, than yield to them. 
Only one voice exists here among the friends of sound principles, 
towards you it is full of recommendation as to the motives 
which must have governed your career and of sympathy for the 
result to which it has exposed your character. But flinch not. 
Fear not. Keep cool — firm — faithful — -and you and Mrs. S. will yet 
look back with joy rather than sorrow to your intrepidity, and in a 
final triumph will feel that it was good for you once to have been 
afflicted. I thank you sincerely for the commendation bestowed 
on my native State. You go, like you feel the cause ; and instead 
of abandoning our principles in time of difficulty cling closer in the 
embrace of them. Truth is truth — whether in victory or defeat — 
and error will always perish in the end, however much for a time 
she may mislead and betray. 

Respectfully, 

LEVI WOODBURY. 
CoL. J. D Stevenson, 

New York City. 



New York, 5tli January, 1841. 

The undersigned, citizens and residents of the city of New 
York, having heard various slanderous reports derogatory to the 
character of Jonathan D. Stevenson, of the said city, for truth 
and morality, have fully and fairly investigated the same, and have 
found them without any foundation in truth. We are therefore 
induced by a sense of justice to Mr. Stevenson to certify that his 
character for truth and morality was fully proved by many of our 
most respectable citizens, who have known him from an early age ; 
and we take pleasure in stating that the whole result of the inves- 



73 

tigation was honorable to his integrity as a man, and his moral de- 
portment as a citizen. 

A D. WYCROFF, REV. C. HANCE, 

ROBERT R. WILLETS,. S. A. LAURENCE, 

THOMAS HUNT, M. C. DEEPRAT, 

GERARDUS BOYCE, ROBERT STEAD, 

ROBERT B. BOYCE, JOHN DODGE, 

PHILIP PIETCH, A. C. BURR, 

R. BUCHAR, ASA LEWIS. 
SYLYANUS S. WARE, 

I concur in the same, 

WM. E. BIRD. 

I fully concur in the above, 

RICH. TEN EYCK. 



Albany, June 22d, 1841. 

Dear Sir. — I learn with grreat regcret that Mrs. Stevenson's 
afflictions are measured by an impression which has been made 
upon her mind, that I have expressed opinions unfavorable to your 
actions in regard to the detection of the Glentworth frauds. I 
regret this exceedingly, and am very desirous that she should be 
made sensible of her error in this respect. Far from entertaining 
such views of your conduct in this particular referred to, I have on 
the contrary always thought, and on any proper occasion have 
said, that it was in my judgment in the highest degree meritorious, 
and entitled you to the respect and friendship of anyone who puts 
a proper value upon our political institutions. 

I greatly deceive myself also, if the shrewd sense and fearless 
intrepidity which characterized your conduct, has not been the 
subject of admiration with thousands of your political opponents, 
as well as with the Democracy of the nation. You have my per- 
mission to show this to Mrs, Stevenson, who will, I hope, no longer 
suffer her peace of mind to be affected by such unfounded reports. 

Very respectfully 

your friend and obedient servant, 
M. VAN BUREN. 
To J. D. Stevenson, Esq. 



74 

I have been personally acquainted with Col. J. D. Stevenson 
for many years. I have always considered him a man of strict in- 
tegrity and high honor. It affords me pleasure to say at this 
time, that his fair, honorable and manly deportment during the 
exposure of the Glentworth frauds, of 1838 and '39, sustained 
him through a course of persecution by his personal enemies un- 
paralleled in the annals of judicial inquiry. His character under- 
went an ordeal as secret and as malicious as it is possible to 
conceive, and in my judgment an acknowledgement of his good 
character was wrung from them under circumstances that puts it 
beyond question. 

The course pursued by him evinced an untiring zeal, high 
moral courage, and patriotic devotion. But few men are to be 
found willing to incur the like hazards. 1 consider him justly en- 
titled to the confidence of his fellow-citizens. 

J. K WHITING. 

New York, Jan'y 7, 1842. 

I fully concur in the above, 

KOBT. H. MORRIS. 



Senate Chamber, Washington, 10 Feb., 1842. 

My (Dear Sir. — Your excellent letter of the 8th inst. came to 
me last night. I have but a moment to write and do that in my 
seat for fear I shall not be able to do it at all out of it. I thank 
you for the letter, and for the excellent tone and temper of it. To 
say that I regret the result in your case is to say nothing of what 
I feel. Yet your vote was a proud one, for it shows that you 
stood upon your own strength and the force of no scattering candi- 
date had been leagued with in your case. If gratitude is not dead 
our folks will do something for you to give you bread while starv- 
ing under political persecutions. 

Two or three days ago Mr. Blair handed me a letter from 
Elizabeth to you, and I sent it under leave to you at Albany. I 
would write to the P. M. there to return it to you at New York, 
but I think you had better do it, as I do not like to ask even a 
civility from that benificiary of this administration. 

I have nothing new to give you from here, but shall look 
anxiously for the letter you promise, giving me the view be- 
hind the curtain at Albany. Our mails have been so irregular 
that we did not get news when the Caucus was to be held until 



75 

last night, and then we got Thursday, Friday and Monday together 
but not Saturday ; so that we have not yet seen the proceedings of 
the adjourned Caucus of Friday night. 

In great haste. 

I am truly yours, 

Col. J. D. Stevenson. SILAS WEIGHT, Jr. 



[Strictly Private.] 

Washington, 5 April, 1842. 

My (Dear Sir. — Your letter of the 3d. came to me last even- 
ing, and I thank you for it. You will have seen a hasty letter 
which I wrote to you but a few days since, and will have thought 
strangely of it. I could not explain then more than I did, and it 
is only necessary now to say that I did not know that j^ou were 
aware of the facts which you now state, or I could have told you 
why I did not wish that, for a time, you should speak of my let- 
ters, or purport to know my opinions. I was satisfied that per- 
sons had been purposely leading you into conversations, and per- 
haps discussions, for the very purpose of drawing from you the 
fact that we did correspond, as well as what they could J earn of 
my views, and probably not being very well satisfied, others were 
turned upon me to see what could be gained in that w^ay. 

I have seen, I think, from the commencement the movement 
of which you speak, but have not been able exactly to embody its 
shape or measure its extent. Yet every day shows more of it to 
me, and the last few days has shown the Era either connected with 
it, or trying to be so. I learned earlier that the effort was making 
to connect Nicholas with the Era. 

I have strong reasons to suspect that, in the end, Curtis will be 
found in that movement and his father-in-law Cramer with him. 
They may delude some honest men, but they will collect a fearful 
mass of rogues if they make the effort. 

The movement to connect my name with that of Mr. Calhoun 
has been some time under consideration and partial action with his 
friends here and in portions of the South, and I have heard of it, 
and lately seen something of it, in that quarter. This was an ob- 
ject in many respects. The great purpose intended to be accom- 
plished was and is to leave the influence everywhere, and to declare 
where it will do, that I am opposed to the nomination of Mr. Van 
Buren and am willing, by being a candidate for the Vice, to place 



76 

myself in direct opposition to him. I have been sounded very art- 
fully by more than one individual, and my conversations have been 
so perfectly frank and entirely decisive, refusing to hear even the 
suggestion and declaring my readiness and determination, the mo- 
ment I could find an opportunity, to declare publicly that I was 
not and would not be a candidate, that they have not dared to use 
my name very openly, and where it has been once or twice used by 
indiscreet editors at the South about as the Times used it a few 
days since, a check has been instantly put upon it from a quarter 
unknown to me, I doubt not from here. That will be the case 
with the Times, I presume. Indeed, you will soon learn, if you 
have not already, that the name of Mr. Woodbury is being very 
rapidly substituted for mine, though the clique in your city will be 
very desirous to take my name for a time, because they will de- 
sire very much to retain the appearance of as nmch New York in- 
terest as if they adhered to Mr. Van Buren. 

Your letter w^ill enable us to give Mr. Holt a proper reception, 
whereas if he had come here without your explanation, some of 
our friends might have been imposed upon by him. Y^'ou must not 
give letters to us when you have cause to suspect any such de- 
signs, unless you precede them by such explanations. 

I am receiving very curious letters now a days, and really I 
was not aware that so many of my friends thought me so inardi- 
nately and foolishly ambitious. 1 am wanted as a candidate for 
President instantly. I am wanted dreadfully to run as Vice to 
Mr. C. And I am kindly assured that if Mr. V. B. is elected in 
1844, I shall have to wait to 1856, where as otherwise I am sure 
in 1848. Well, now, all these things are disgustingly foolish, and 
yet they compel me to write a great many letters which require 
great care, and as I want to see how far this spirit of mischief 
exists in our own State, I am compelled to put restraint upon my 
friends so that they may not prevent the rogues from approaching 
me. My letters are uniform, and of course every one stops corres- 
pondence where it goes, and it will not be long before I shall have 
written so many that the whole thing will stop. If my friends 
hear of letters and it is pretended they use any other language 
than positive refusal, let them calmly, mildly, but firmly, ask a 
siofht of the letters themselves. 

In great haste. 

Most truly yours, 

SILAS WRIGHT, Jr. 
Col. J. D. Stevenson. 



77 

[Private.] 

Washington, 18 May, 1842. 

My (Dear Sir. — Your favor of the IGth came to me this 
morning. I have but a single moment to reply, and should not 
attempt it, but to answer a single point of your letter. I am not 
and cannot be a candidate for I Governor, and so I have written to 
Hoffman and others a long time ago. It would take a very long 
letter to give you a very imperfect statement of my reasons, and I 
cannot attempt it now, but they are, controlling upon me, and sat- 
isfy me that the movement would not be a wise one, if I could 
consent to it. I do not want you to make this declaration a sub- 
ject of unnecessary remark at all, and yet I want to have you ad- 
vised, so that you may not give encouragement to an opposite 
idea. If an occasion arises you can say you have the strongest rea- 
sons for believing that I am not and cannot consent to be a can- 
didate. Pardon this hasty note, and believe me, 

most truly yours, 

SILAS WRIGHT, Jr. 
Col. J. D. Stevenson. 



[Private.] 

" Canton, 17 Oct , 1844. 

My (Dear Sir. — -Your letter of the 12th reached me this 
morning. I thank you for it. I had hoped that the crisis, the 
peculiar dangers which all must see impend over the city, and the 
vital importance of carrying the Union would have induced the 
honest and worthy and influential members of our party to turn 
out this year, and take the lead in the nominating conventions. 
Nothing can so strongly invite and facilitate the coalitions which 
the Whigs wish to favor as unsatisfactory nominations. 

Yet it does not become me to pass judgment, much less to 
complain of any person or class of friends. I suppose all have 
done what they have supposed to be their duty. From your 
account, however, I cannot but fear for the city and such an over- 
turn there as has just been experienced in Philadelphia may 
overturn our State Electors, Legislature, and everything. The 
hope of it and expectation of it is felt here at this moment, and is 
exciting our Whigs to desperate exertions. 

The only way you can guard yourselves at all against it in the 
city and in Brooklyn is by instant and perfect organization, and 



78 

careful lists of your voters. Stop the great meetings, and go to 
work man by man ; have every voter sure, and calmly conversed 
with, and find how he will vote. If this cannot be done, you will 
be sold out, cheated and beaten. If it can be done, you will 
check the effect of the coalitions, stop the pipe laying, and carry 
the city. (Burn this, as it will not do for me to write or talk upon 
these subjects. In the greatest haste. 

Truly yours. 

SILAS WRIGHT. 
Col. J. D. Stevenson. 



[Strictly Private.] 

Albany, 23 March, 1865. 

My (Dear Sir^ — I have been a lazy man for a great num- 
ber of years, but I have never known what it was to be un- 
controllably so until I came into my present position. I do not 
read the one -half of the letters I receive from day to day, and 
none not relating to business, strictly official, at any other time 
than on Sundays. That day is by no means quietly mine, as I in- 
variably get calls before church, between the services, and during 
the whole evening. Yet I have fallen upon a letter to-day which 
has come, at some time during the week, from our friend, J. D. 
Stevenson, asking me, in the most pressing terms, to write to him, 
or to the President, or to you, a letter which can be used to serve 
him in his application for the Naval Office, at New York. I 
find from his letter that 1 had mistaken the office for which he was 
applying, as I had had it constantly in my mind that it was the 
place of Surveyor, and I thought, when I saw the appointment of 
Purdy, that the place he sought was gone. Yet my mistake has 
caused no injury to him, except that I was induced to tell Moore 
that I should write no letter for anyone for the Naval Office, for 
which he wished a letter, and was angry because I could not give 
it, being under the impression, at the time, that he was not in con- 
flict with Stevenson, to whom I said I would write a private letter 
on his behalf, I cannot now, in honor or in truth, do that for the 
Naval Office, because my word to Moore was very specifically 
given. 

I will say to you, with great cheerfulness, that I consider Ste- 
venson a warm and devoted friend to me, and to the Democratic 
party and its principles. I have known him quite intimately for 



79 

several years, and have corresponded with him a good deal during 
that time, and I have ever found him, in all my intercourse, strictly 
faithful to trutli, perfectly honorable, and most ardently, I may 
almost say passionately, devoted to his friends. 

His agencv in exposing the Glentworth frauds was most char- 
acteristic of him, as he never appears to me to think of himself, 
when his friend or his party is in danger ; and he has made many 
enemies by his defences of the former, while no man has made 
more numerous or bitter, or unforgiving enemies, than he did by 
that service to the latter. I have always thought and felt that 
his party has not treated him rightly since that affair, and has not 
sustained him as it should against the persecutions which these 
disclosures brought upon him. He has ever appeared to me to de- 
serve, for that act, some respectable appointment, which would 
endorse his standing with his own party, and give to him and his 
family that comfortable living, of which he was deprived in conse- 
quence of the troubles thus brought upon him. 

I am aware there are Democrats who entertain unfavorable 
opinions of him, but I have believed, and am compelled yet to be- 
lieve, that they are either honest men whose minds have been 
poisoned by the bitter slanders against him, and who have not 
taken the pains to examine into their foundation, or those who are 
willing that he should fall under these slanders, because he may 
otherwise come in their way. These are the honest conclusions of 
my mind about the man from my opportunities of knowing hirn, 
and about the unfavorable opinions which prevail against him in 
the minds of members of our own party. 

Some prejudice has been excited against him, because he adhered 
steadilv to the renomination of Gov. Bouck durinsf the last sum- 
mer and fall. That should not injure him. He knew from myself 
that I did not want the nomination, and desired, beyond all 
things to avoid it, and Gov. Bouck had been a friend to him, and 
had given him an office, which he then held. His course in that 
matter, so far from injuring him, in my estimation, I considered the 
course he ought to take. 

It has also been reported here that he has been acting, at 
Washington, with Foster, Cramer, & Co., since he has been there 
upon this occasion. This I do not believe, and his letters to me 
have held a different language altogether, but you will know how 
that is. That he fivored the appointment of Geo. Marcey to the 
Cabinet, I do not doubt, for he has been a devoted friend of Geo. 
Marcey ever since I have known him ; but that he did so from any 
bad motive I do not believe, and that I cannot say for the other 
persons I have named. 



80 

In conclusion, I should be glad to see Mr, Stevenson receive 
some respectable appointment, which would give a comfortable 
support to himself and family, and I believe he would be found 
honest and faithful in every trust confided to him, and that his 
talents, energy and business experience qualify him to discharge 
well the duties of such a situation. 

This letter I wish you to read to Colonel Stevenson, as I can- 
not write to him, it being now nearly 2 o'clock a, m. If he desires 
you to do so, you may say to the President, in Confidence, that I 
cannot interfere as to this office, because I have declared I would 
not, but that my opinions of Colonel Stevenson are as I have here 
stated them. This is the most I can honorably do in answer to 
his request, and if this letter is read to him, it must be in the same 
confidence in which it is written to you, as it will bring imputa- 
tions of dishonor upon me, if it is used or known. 

I need not say that I should be very glad to write a very long 
letter to you, but that it cannot be done now. You must keep 
this yourself, and not sell the desk in which you keep it, if you do 
not destroy it at once. 

I will' ask you to remember me most kindly to Mrs. Blair and 
Mr. and Mrs. Lee, and to such of your sons as may be with you, 
and to believe I am, 

Very truly yours, 

SILAS WRIGHT. 
F. P. Blair, Esq. 



[Private.] 

Washington, July 15th, '46. 
CoL. J. D. Stevenson. 

(Dear Sir. — I am indebted to you for several letters, and I 
have only time for a brief reply. The bouquet which you were 
so kind as to procure in N. Y. has arrived, and suits the taste of 
the lady of the mansion. 

The dock of Brooklyn is, I fear, about to change hands as to 
management. The pressure here is hard upon Mr. B , and I think 
he will yield to it, though the step is not yet taken. I must refer 
you to the papers (not the letter-writers) for an account of what is 
doing in Congress. 

I regret that the affair at Albany is not in a fair way of being 
composed. If nothing is done to quiet matters in our State, it is 
very clear that we shall be in great danger of losing our political 
ascendency. The business and the responsibility is with those 



81 

now at Albany. In the course of my political life I have seen 
dark periods in our party affiiirs, yet the gloom has usually passed 
oft", and all has again become bright and fair. 

If the Printer question could be satisfactorily disposed of, a 
Cfood beofinninof would be made for restorinof harmony and secur- 
ing united action in our future movements. As it is the most im- 
portant, so it is the most difficult step in the whole business. 

I read the Gov's Message, and was well pleased with it. It is 
an able paper. 

I am broken off, and cannot write more without losing a mail. 

Yours respectfully, 

W. L. MARCEY. 



Baltimore, 10 April, 1845. 
To His Excellency^ James K. (Polk, 

President of the United States. 

iSzV.— The undersio-ned Democratic citizens of Baltimore, have 
been apprised that Colonel J. D. Stevenson of New York will be 
an applicant for the situation of Naval Officer for the Port of New 
York ; and although under ordinary circumstances it might subject 
us to the charare of treadino- on forbidden around to interfere in the 
selection of Government agents not located in the State of Mary- 
land, yet, connected as Mr. Stevenson has been, under peculiar 
and trying circumstances, with the Democratic property of Balti- 
more, we have deemed it justffiable to express our sincere hope 
that the gentleman referred to may meet with your favorable con- 
sideration. 

It is not our purpose to speak of the character or qualifications 
of Mr. S or of his services in the great Republican cause, because 
they are known and appreciated by the citizens of New York ; but 
with pleasure refer to his services in behalf of the Democracy of 
Baltimore. 

It is doubtless known to you that a conspiracy was in embryo 
in 1840 to pollute the ballot-box and defeat the popular will in the 
city of Baltimore, by the introduction into the city of six hundred 
voters from the city of Philadelphia. This base and infamous plot 
was arrested through the keen sagacity and firmness of Colonel 
Stevenson, by his bringing to light a letter written by Madison 
Jeffers of Baltimore to George Riston of Philadelphia. Through 
his instrumentality this notorious letter was obtained and the foul 
conspiracy balked of its purpose. 



82 

This act, done at tlie haz;ard of his reputation and even of his 
Hfe, has endeared him to the Democracy of Baltimore, and they 
would be guilty of ingratitude should they withhold any aid which 
might be exercised to promote his success. It shows, also, that 
Colonel Stevenson's patriotism is not confined to the atmosphere 
here or of the Empire State, but covers the broadest expanse. 

That patriotism has made him the victim of the vilest persecu- 
tion ; persecution that has visited his domestic hearth, and crushed 
the devoted heart of the partner of his bosom. 

Can we be intruders who volunteer our testimony in behalf of 
such a man ? We believe that you will not so consider us. 

We believe that the country is bound in gratitude and in jus- 
tice to the great cause of civil liberty, to protect those who suffer 
proscription for that country ; and viewing the case of Colonel 
Stevenson as one strongly in point, we in the most respectful man- 
ner pray that you may honor him with the appointment he solicits. 

This communication is made without the knowledge or solicita- 
tion of Colonel S. or any of his friends not residents of this city ; 
but being members of a committee from the Democracy of Balti- 
more, recently on a visit to New York City in charge of a Banner 
which we presented to the Democracy of the latter city, we 
learned that that gentleman was an applicant for the office referred 
to, and felt that it was due to him to render him our feeble aid. 

With high regard, 

Your friends and servants, 

JOSHUA VANSANT, 
FRANCIS GALLAGHER. 

Among the numer()us gentlemen with whom I have had the 
pleasure to associate during my political life, I know no one more 
truly deserving than Colonel Stevenson. To me it would afford 
the greatest pleasure to see his principles and constancy fully 
appreciated, and I do most earnestly hope the Government will in 
some way manifest its approbation of the moral and political excel- 
lence of this gentleman. 

WM. L. PRESTON. 
Baltimore, 24 April, 1845. 



New York, September 20, 1831. 

The undersigned has been for fourteen years past well acquainted 
with Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson (son of the late Matthew Ste- 



83 

venson), of tliis city, and takes great pleasure in bearing full testi- 
mony of his uniform, c(3rrect, honorable and gentlemanly deport- 
ment, and good conduct. 

Colonel Stevenson was private secretary to the late lamented 
Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, and was high in his favor and 
confidence. 

R RIKEK, 
Recorder of the City of New York. 

Having known Colonel Stevenson whilst he was Secretary of 
Governor Tompkins, I concur with great pleasure in the foregoing 
testimonial of his standing and character. 

New York, Sept. 21, 1831. 

WALTER BROWN, 
Mayor of the City of New York. 
M. M. NOAH, 
Surveyor of the Port. 

C. C. CAMBRELLING, 

M. C. from City of New York. 
Citij and Count// of New Yot'k: 

I, Charles W. Sandford, a Commissioner appointed under the 
Great Seal of the State of New York, to take the proof and ac- 
knowledgement of deeds, affidavits, &c., do certify, that I am per- 
sonally acquainted with Walter Brown, Mayor of the City of New 
York ; Richard Riker, Recorder of said city ; M. M. Noah, Sur- 
veyor of the Port of New^ York ; Churchill C. Cambrelling, one 
of the Members of Congress from the City of New York, and the 
signatures attached to the foregoing certificates, are in their own 
respective hands writing. 

New York, Sept. 21, 1831. 

CHAS. W. SANDFORD, 

Commissioner of Deeds, &c.. New York. 



Albany, Oct. 24th, 1880. 

Dear Sir. — I have received your letter of the 23d. I have 
sent an express to Buffalo with 3,000 or 4,000 of the expose brought 
up from New York. We consider here that you are fortified and 
sustained most triumphantly at every point. 

Truly yours. 

A. C. FLAGG. 



84 

J. D. Stevenson, New York : 

We shall get out an extra Kough Hewer, with a short address 
from the State Committee, and print 50,000 copies. 



New York, July, 14th 1841. 
J. D. Stevenson, Esq : 

Dear /S^V— Having learned from you in our conversation a few 
days since, that the course of defence on the Glentworth trial had 
left on the minds of some of your friends, the imputation, unqual- 
ifiedly, of perjury on your part, I feel it to be due to you to say, 
that so far as any remarks of mine to the jury are concerned, such 
imputation is unjust towards you. In placing before the jury the 
contradiction between your testimony and that of Mayor Swift, 
which the duty of the defendant's counsel required, my object, and 
that of my associate counsel, was to leave to them the question of 
creditability between yourself and the gentleman alone, and I 
should greatly regret that any wider scope should be attributed to 
the line of defence adopted, at least so far as I am concerned. 

Very respectfully yours, 

D. GRAHAM, Jr. 



New York, Nov. 11th, 1841. 

The undersigned, formerly of the General Staff under the ad- 
ministration of Governor Marcy, as Commander-in-Chief, takes 
great pleasure in bearing testimony to the character of Colonel J. 
D. Stevenson. During a long period of service, Colonel Steven- 
son maintained the reputation of an accompHshed and efficient 
officer, and we esteem him eminently qualified by his experience, 
industry and energy to discharge the duties of Commissary Gen- 
eral in a maimer to serve the interest of the State. 

ALLAN MACDONALD, 

Late Adjutant General. 
CAMPBELL P. WHITE, 

Late Quartermaster General. 
PROSPER M. WETMORE, 

Late Paymaster General. 
RICHARD PENNELL, M. D., 

Late Surgeon General. 
W. H. WARREN, 

Late Aid-de-Camp. 



85 



I concur in opinion as to character and qualifications of Colonel 
Stevenson. W. L. MARCY, 



New York, January 8, 1842. 

Dear Sir. — It affords me pleasure to bear witness to your ser- 
vices and your qualifications for the office of Commissary General. 

Independent of my knowledge of your political course for the 
last ten years, during all of whidi you have shown yourself to be 
a true and ardent supporter of the cause of democracy, I find in 
your conduct and sufferings, in regard to the Glentworth business, 
all that is necessary to connnend you to the support of our friends. 

To you, more than any other man, are we indebted for the dis- 
closure of the astounding frauds which polluted our elections in 
1838 and 1839, which disclosure has done more than any other 
event for some years to purify the ballot-box. lint for your firm- 
ness and noble disregard of personal consequences this great good 
would not have been done, and, in view of all that you have en- 
dured by reason of your intrepid conduct, I cannot but feel that 
you are entitled to substantial marks of the gratitude of the Dem- 
ocratic party. 

Be the result of your application, however, what it may, of one 
gratification you cannot be deprived, that of knowing that your 
character has come out entirely pure from as searching and bitter a 
scrutiny as could be devised. 

Very truly yours, 

CoL. J. D Stevenson, Esq. J. W. EDMONDS. 



C Street, March 12th, 1845. 
Colonel Stevenson : 

I never interfere in appointments in other States than my 
own, which rule of long standing put it out of my power to give 
you a letter to the President, but I am free to say to you that my 
acquaintance with you, dating back to near the time when you 
w^ere so intimately associated with the Viee-President, Tompkins, 
and continued down throush your friendship and intimacy with 
Mr. Van Buren and Mr. Wright, enables me to class you both 
personally and politically with the most esteemed members of our 
party, and I sincerely wish you success in all your objects. 

Yours truly, 

THOS. H. BENTON. 



86 

Washington City, 14 March, 1845. 

My Dear Sir. — The President has not appointed my friend J. 
D. Stevenson, Surveyor, etc., of New York, as I had hoped he 
would have done. I felt a great solicitude for S's success, because 
he is worthy, needy, and has claims upon the Democratic party of 
no ordinary character, and I know him to be eminently qualified 
for such a place. I would address the President directly upon the 
subject, but I really tear that in the midst of his higher engage- 
ments he might overlook this matter, and tlierefore I request you 
to communicate Avith him, if I do not see him before 1 leave and 
after the Senate adjourns, and to nominate Mr. Stevenson to him 
for the office of Naval Officer in New York City. 

You know Mr. S., and I am sure you will not decline this ser- 
vice. The President may thmk, if he does not ask, why I should 
be so officious in a matter out of my own State. The answer need 
not be made if he knew Mr. S. and his history, and if he was in- 
formed how a good man, with an interesting family, has been per- 
secuted and ruined in his private fortunes for his fearlessness in 
exposing the great frauds of 184-0 ! Were he not qualified in every 
sense for the office, I would not recommend his appointment as a 
compensation for any past sacrifice. But he is as well fitted for 
the office as any man. He possesses the confidence of the first in 
New York. He has been brought up a merchant, and knows the 
duties of the place now asked for as well as any man can, and in 
addition to all this, let me say, not as a recommendation for Mr. S., 
but as an apology for my importunit}^, that he is my friend, and 
therefore I urge his claims upon the appointing power. 

The Senators from New York (I speak positively as far as con- 
cerning Mr. Dix) concur in my application. 

Will you, therefore, do me the favor to hand this note to the 
President, and he will, I have no doubt, do what he thinks is right. 

In respect to Mr. S's politics, I can only say, that they were the 
same as my ovjn during the last contest and now. 

I have the honor to be, yours, etc., 

WM. H. HAYWOOD, Jr. 
To F. P. Blair, Esq. 



Washington, 17 March, 1845. 
It gives me pleasure to state that I formed an acquaintance 
with J. D. Stevenson, Esq., of New York, some years since, and I 
have always regarded him as sound in political principles, courte- 



87 



ous in manners, and intelligent and gentlemanly in society. The 
party persecutions that appears to have visited him after our first 
acquaintance has in my view, strengthened rather than impaired, 
his claim to public favor. 

LEVI WOODBURY. 



Washington, March 18, 184 5. 
Mr. Stevenson : 

In answer to your communication to me, I state with pleasure 
that during the time I was Secretary of the Treasury I had fre- 
quent conversations with you on matters of business and commer- 
cial transactions, imports and exports, and exchanges, from which 
I am well satisfied of your capacity for business and such compre- 
hension of the laws of the United States, in respect to duties and 
imports and tonnage, as would well befit you for the employment 
of Surveyor or Naval Officer. 

With great respect; yours, etc., 

GEO. M. BIBB. 



Washington, March 5, 1845. 
To His Exc'y Jas K. Polk: 

Sir. — I take pleasure in bearing testimony to the standing and 
character of Colonel J. T). Stevenson of the city of New York, 
and to his eminent services to the Democratic party. I have been 
long acqu tinted with Colonel Stevenson, who is my friend and 
neighbor, and from that acquaintance I have no hesitation in say- 
ing that a more active and devoted Democrat, and one who has 
suffered more for his attachment to his political principles, does 
not exist. Like many others who have been actively engfiged in 
the political struggles of the day, he has been assailed with great 
virulence by his political opponents, and by those nominally acting 
with the Democratic party, whose disorganizing spirit and tenden- 
cies he has ever very freely commented upon and exposed. I be- 
lieve that whatever misrepresentation and opposition he has been 
compelled to encounter has arisen from this cause, and to which a 
man less resolute and devoted to the best interests of the Demo- 
cratic party and to the supremacy of its principles would not have 
been subjected. He is a man of great industry and capacity, and 
whatever may be asserted to the contrary his appointment to any 



post, to the fulfillment of the duties of which your Excellency 
might deem him adequate, would be an expression of confidence 
well reposed, conferred upon a most deserving citizen, and give 
satisfaction to the community generally, and would be eminently 
conducive to the permanent interests of the Democratic party in 
the city of New York. 

Very respectfully, 

Your most obediant servant, 

W. B. MACLAY. 

P. S. — The oflfice to which Colonel Stevenson makes applica- 
tion is that of Naval Officer, for the discharge of the duties of 
which he is particularly well qualified, and I take pleasure in rec- 
ommending him therefor. 

W. B. MACLAY, 

M. C. from New York. 



Washington, 12th March, '46. 

My Dear Sir. — I received your letter several days since, but 
could not find time before now to acknowledge it. You mentioned 
that you had sent some papers, but I do not think they got here. 
Being interested in the course of things at Albany, I have casually 
looked at the debates in the Argun, particularly those on the print- 
ing bills, and my attention was drawn in an especial manner to the 
part you took in them, and indeed in the other proceedings. I am 
tree to declare that you have greatly exceeded my expectations, 
and have taken a o-ood standing at once among the debaters in the 
House. This is very rarely the case with those who have not had 
experience in public speaking. Your argument on the printing 
bill appeared to me to be sound, forcible, and to the point ; but 
talent at a ready and prompt reply was the more surprising, be- 
cause it is the more difficult faculty. I think I have reason to be 
satisfied — your friends certainly are — at your position as a Legis- 
lator. Though not much surprised at, yet I regret the seism in 
our party in New York. I early saw the potent principles and 
used my best endeavors before I left Albany — indeed three years 
ago — ^to check its operations, but my labors were not seconded in 
quarters where they ought to have been, nor were they properly 
appreciated, I repeat, though I regret the present state of things I 
cannot reproach myself with having omitted anything to prevent 
it. 



89 

Shall we have a Democratic convention ? They have not sec- 
onded the President as they ought to have done. As I shall have 
the pleasure of seeing you, as I trust, here in a few weeks, we shall 
then have an opportunity of talking thinks over in a familiar way. 

Yours truly, 

W. L. MARCY. 
Col. J. D. Stevenson. 

Albany, June 24th, '49. 

My Dear Col.- — I suppose you regard me as a very negligent 
correspondent, and so far as you are concerned, so in truth I am. 
My important engagements at Washington obHged me to forego 
nearly all private correspondence, and until recently I concluded 
you would return home when your term of military service ended, 
and I did not write because I supposed you would get here before 
a letter would reach California. '"' '" '" '" '"' ''' I was much 
pleased with a copy of the Col's (Mason) letter to you at the close 
of your military service. No better evidence could be afforded to 
justify the selection which was made of a commander of the vol- 
unteer regiment. '"' ''' '" '" 

Awful changes are here taking place, and some of the most 
melancholy are the work of death. The recent announcement of 
the death of Pres. Polk is the most afHicting of any which went 
before it. The death of Worth also broke upon us very suddenly. 
He was a noble soldier, and a great loss to the country. '" '"' '" * 
I was deeply afflicted at the death of General Kearney. ""' '" '"' 
Things aie strangely changed here since you left. The divisions in 
the Democratic party have transferred the State entirely to the 
Whigs, and the prospect of recovering it from their hands is not 
at present very flattering. To the same cause the loss of the Pres- 
idential election may be truly ascribed. '" '" "' '" "' 

Yours truly, 

W. L. MARCY. 



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